VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO
VCE.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF) and XQB.TO (iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCE.TO is a Canada Equities fund tracking the FTSE Canada Domestic Index, while XQB.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund tracking the Morningstar Can Core Bd GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCE.TO returned 12.58%/yr vs 1.64%/yr for XQB.TO. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VCE.TO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XQB.TO.
Performance
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCE.TO achieves a 10.03% return, which is significantly higher than XQB.TO's 1.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VCE.TO has outperformed XQB.TO with an annualized return of 12.58%, while XQB.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 1.64% annualized return.
VCE.TO
- 1D
- -0.96%
- 1M
- 3.36%
- YTD
- 10.03%
- 6M
- 10.19%
- 1Y
- 28.98%
- 3Y*
- 22.22%
- 5Y*
- 14.43%
- 10Y*
- 12.58%
XQB.TO
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 1.68%
- YTD
- 1.49%
- 6M
- 0.82%
- 1Y
- 3.20%
- 3Y*
- 4.37%
- 5Y*
- 0.97%
- 10Y*
- 1.64%
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF | 10.03% | 26.39% | 21.43% | 12.26% | -5.20% | 28.59% | 4.09% | 22.99% | -7.86% | 8.79% |
XQB.TO iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF | 1.49% | 3.16% | 4.17% | 6.51% | -10.61% | -2.84% | 8.32% | 6.05% | 1.38% | 1.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCE.TO and XQB.TO is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2011 | -0.03 |
The correlation between VCE.TO and XQB.TO shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO — Risk / Return Rank
VCE.TO
XQB.TO
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF (VCE.TO) and iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB.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.
| VCE.TO | XQB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.14 | +0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.60 | 1.19 | +2.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.77 | 2.93 | +13.83 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VCE.TO | XQB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.37 | 0.79 | +1.58 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.14 | 0.17 | +0.97 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.84 | 0.29 | +0.56 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.77 | 0.53 | +0.24 |
Drawdowns
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCE.TO drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, which is greater than XQB.TO's maximum drawdown of -16.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCE.TO and XQB.TO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VCE.TO | XQB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.92% | -16.57% | -19.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.09% | -2.70% | -5.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | -4.25% | -7.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.90% | -14.59% | -1.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.92% | -16.57% | -19.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.96% | -0.50% | -0.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.73% | -3.07% | -0.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | 1.09% | +0.64% |
Volatility
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF (VCE.TO) has a higher volatility of 3.47% compared to iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB.TO) at 1.54%. This indicates that VCE.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XQB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VCE.TO | XQB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.47% | 1.54% | +1.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.00% | 3.31% | +6.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.30% | 4.10% | +8.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.78% | 5.89% | +6.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.99% | 5.78% | +9.21% |
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCE.TO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than XQB.TO's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VCE.TO vs. XQB.TO - Dividend Comparison
VCE.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than XQB.TO's 3.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF | 2.17% | 2.42% | 2.84% | 3.16% | 3.21% | 2.61% | 2.93% | 3.01% | 3.21% | 2.57% | 2.64% | 2.98% |
XQB.TO iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF | 3.41% | 3.39% | 3.24% | 2.93% | 2.75% | 2.37% | 2.37% | 2.53% | 2.59% | 2.54% | 2.67% | 2.80% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VCE.TO and XQB.TO have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VCE.TO is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VCE.TO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XQB.TO.
VCE.TO is categorized as Canada Equities, while XQB.TO is Canadian Government Bonds. VCE.TO tracks FTSE Canada Domestic Index, while XQB.TO tracks Morningstar Can Core Bd GR CAD. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VCE.TO and 0.13% for XQB.TO.
Find the right allocation for VCE.TO and XQB.TO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer