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

VBU.NEO vs. RLB.TO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

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

Performance

VBU.NEO vs. RLB.TO - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

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

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%

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%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between VBU.NEO and RLB.TO 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

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Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF

RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond 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

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

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
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
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
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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) and RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO). 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.

VBU.NEORLB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.54
1.44

-0.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.80
2.09

-1.29

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.11

1.29

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.77

2.28

-1.51

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.00

7.18

-5.19

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

The current VBU.NEO Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the RLB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBU.NEO and RLB.TO, 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

VBU.NEO vs. RLB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

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

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Drawdown Indicators

VBU.NEORLB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-19.34%

-13.93%

-5.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-3.08%

-1.48%

-1.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.94%

-1.48%

-4.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.44%

-7.68%

-10.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-19.34%

-13.93%

-5.41%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-8.18%

-0.16%

-8.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.32%

-1.52%

-3.80%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.19%

0.47%

+0.72%

Volatility

VBU.NEO vs. RLB.TO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) at 0.53%. This indicates that VBU.NEO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RLB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VBU.NEORLB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.24%

0.53%

+0.71%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.71%

1.97%

+1.74%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.45%

2.34%

+2.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.30%

3.01%

+3.29%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.95%

4.40%

+1.55%

Dividends

VBU.NEO vs. RLB.TO - Dividend Comparison

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

VBU.NEO and RLB.TO 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: Vanguard and RBC.

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