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RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

RLB.TO (RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF) and VBU.NEO (Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF) are both Total Bond Market funds. RLB.TO is actively managed, while VBU.NEO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RLB.TO returned 2.15%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for VBU.NEO. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) and Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RLB.TO achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly higher than VBU.NEO's -0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, RLB.TO has outperformed VBU.NEO with an annualized return of 2.15%, while VBU.NEO has yielded a comparatively lower 0.51% annualized return.

RLB.TO

1D
0.11%
1M
-0.05%
6M
0.96%
YTD
1.23%
1Y
3.35%
3Y*
5.06%
5Y*
2.10%
10Y*
2.15%

VBU.NEO

1D
0.02%
1M
-0.46%
6M
-1.12%
YTD
-0.70%
1Y
2.37%
3Y*
2.31%
5Y*
-1.34%
10Y*
0.51%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
RLB.TO
RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF		1.23%3.97%5.39%5.93%-5.15%-0.78%5.76%4.54%1.07%0.54%
VBU.NEO
Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF		-0.70%4.92%0.11%4.79%-13.68%-2.06%7.26%7.77%-1.09%3.47%

Correlation

The correlation between RLB.TO and VBU.NEO is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.44

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.43

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.48

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.38

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2016

0.38

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF

Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Often compared with VBU.NEO:
VBU.NEO vs. VBG.NEOVBU.NEO vs. XAGH.TOVBU.NEO vs. VAB.TOVBU.NEO vs. BNDVBU.NEO vs. PLDI.TOVBU.NEO vs. ZUAG.TOVBU.NEO vs. VFV.TO

Return for Risk

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
RLB.TO
RLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
RLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
VBU.NEO
VBU.NEO Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
VBU.NEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1919
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBU.NEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1717
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBU.NEO Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
VBU.NEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2121
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBU.NEO Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) and Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

RLB.TOVBU.NEODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.44
0.54

+0.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.09
0.80

+1.29

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.11

+0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.28

0.77

+1.51

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.18

2.00

+5.19

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the VBU.NEO Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RLB.TO and VBU.NEO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -13.93%, smaller than the maximum VBU.NEO drawdown of -19.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RLB.TO and VBU.NEO.

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Drawdown Indicators

RLB.TOVBU.NEODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.93%

-19.34%

+5.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.48%

-3.08%

+1.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.48%

-5.94%

+4.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-7.68%

-18.44%

+10.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.93%

-19.34%

+5.41%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.16%

-8.18%

+8.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.52%

-5.32%

+3.80%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.47%

1.19%

-0.72%

Volatility

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) is 0.53%, while Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) has a volatility of 1.24%. This indicates that RLB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBU.NEO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

RLB.TOVBU.NEODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.53%

1.24%

-0.71%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.97%

3.71%

-1.74%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.34%

4.45%

-2.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

3.01%

6.30%

-3.29%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.40%

5.95%

-1.55%

Dividends

RLB.TO vs. VBU.NEO - Dividend Comparison

RLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, less than VBU.NEO's 3.67% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
RLB.TO
RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF		3.47%3.25%2.99%2.65%2.54%2.27%2.44%2.66%2.81%2.95%2.32%0.00%
VBU.NEO
Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF		3.67%3.50%3.34%2.93%2.32%1.87%2.15%2.36%2.24%2.20%2.18%2.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

RLB.TO and VBU.NEO have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

They also come from different issuers: RBC and Vanguard.

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