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XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB.TO) and iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.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, XBB.TO achieves a 1.51% return, which is significantly lower than XUS.TO's 12.21% return. Over the past 10 years, XBB.TO has underperformed XUS.TO with an annualized return of 1.63%, while XUS.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.98% annualized return.


XBB.TO

1D
-0.18%
1M
1.59%
YTD
1.51%
6M
0.69%
1Y
3.09%
3Y*
4.17%
5Y*
0.71%
10Y*
1.63%

XUS.TO

1D
-0.31%
1M
7.22%
YTD
12.21%
6M
10.39%
1Y
29.30%
3Y*
23.52%
5Y*
16.78%
10Y*
15.98%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XBB.TO
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF
1.51%2.59%4.00%6.64%-11.66%-2.81%8.58%7.28%1.00%2.42%
XUS.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF
12.21%12.19%35.16%23.31%-12.59%27.20%15.56%24.57%3.31%13.56%

Correlation

The correlation between XBB.TO and XUS.TO is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.


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

0.29

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

0.18

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

0.12

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

0.02

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2013

0.01

Over the past year, XBB.TO and XUS.TO have become more correlated (0.29) than their long-term average of 0.01, meaning their price movements have been converging.

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Return for Risk

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XBB.TO
XBB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 2121
Overall Rank
XBB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2121
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XBB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1818
Sortino Ratio Rank
XBB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
XBB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
XBB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank

XUS.TO
XUS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
XUS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7777
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB.TO) and iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.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.


XBB.TOXUS.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-1.84

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-2.49

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.12

1.47

-0.35

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.14

3.41

-2.27

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.65

12.94

-10.29

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the XUS.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBB.TO and XUS.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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Sharpe Ratios by Period


XBB.TOXUS.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.71

2.55

-1.84

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.11

1.13

-1.02

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.24

0.98

-0.73

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.71

1.08

-0.37

Drawdowns

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBB.TO drawdown since its inception was -18.16%, smaller than the maximum XUS.TO drawdown of -27.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBB.TO and XUS.TO.


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Drawdown Indicators


XBB.TOXUS.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.16%

-27.23%

+9.07%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.73%

-8.63%

+5.90%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.42%

-18.96%

+13.54%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.90%

-21.85%

+5.95%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-18.16%

-27.23%

+9.07%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.39%

-0.31%

-1.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.76%

-3.46%

+0.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.17%

2.27%

-1.10%

Volatility

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB.TO) is 1.54%, while iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.TO) has a volatility of 3.19%. This indicates that XBB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XUS.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


XBB.TOXUS.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.54%

3.19%

-1.65%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.40%

8.66%

-5.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.38%

11.58%

-7.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.63%

14.92%

-8.29%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.69%

16.48%

-9.79%

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBB.TO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than XUS.TO's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.


Dividends

XBB.TO vs. XUS.TO - Dividend Comparison

XBB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than XUS.TO's 1.12% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XBB.TO
iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF
3.41%3.39%3.25%3.01%2.91%2.54%2.55%2.80%2.92%2.83%2.81%2.87%
XUS.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF
1.12%1.26%1.03%1.22%1.38%0.99%1.35%2.02%1.77%1.48%1.66%1.70%

Frequently Asked Questions


XBB.TO and XUS.TO have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XUS.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XUS.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for XBB.TO.

XBB.TO is categorized as Canadian Government Bonds, while XUS.TO is S&P 500. XBB.TO tracks Morningstar Can Core Bd GR CAD, while XUS.TO tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for XBB.TO and 0.09% for XUS.TO.

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