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XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XFLB.TO (iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF) and XSTB.TO (iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian Government Bonds funds from iShares - XFLB.TO tracks the Morningstar Can 10+Y Core Bd GR CAD while XSTB.TO tracks the Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XFLB.TO returned -1.06%/yr vs 4.44%/yr for XSTB.TO. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.17% expense ratio.

Performance

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF (XFLB.TO) and iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB.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, XFLB.TO achieves a 2.42% return, which is significantly higher than XSTB.TO's 0.89% return.

XFLB.TO

1D
0.11%
1M
3.14%
YTD
2.42%
6M
-0.48%
1Y
-0.95%
3Y*
-1.06%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

XSTB.TO

1D
-0.08%
1M
0.80%
YTD
0.89%
6M
0.62%
1Y
2.70%
3Y*
4.44%
5Y*
1.93%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023
XFLB.TO
iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF		2.42%-6.17%-2.12%4.63%
XSTB.TO
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF		0.89%3.60%5.28%3.90%

Correlation

The correlation between XFLB.TO and XSTB.TO is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.47

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

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2023

0.49

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iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF

iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF

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Often compared with XSTB.TO:
XSTB.TO vs. XSTH.TOXSTB.TO vs. XSAB.TOXSTB.TO vs. BNDXSTB.TO vs. XCSR.TOXSTB.TO vs. XSHG.TOXSTB.TO vs. ZST.TOXSTB.TO vs. GCNS.TO

Return for Risk

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XFLB.TO
XFLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 77
Overall Rank
XFLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XFLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
Sortino Ratio Rank
XFLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
Omega Ratio Rank
XFLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
Calmar Ratio Rank
XFLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 88
Martin Ratio Rank
XSTB.TO
XSTB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
XSTB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSTB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 3939
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSTB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
XSTB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSTB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
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.

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF (XFLB.TO) and iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB.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.

XFLB.TOXSTB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.09
1.46

-1.55

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.06
2.01

-2.07

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.99

1.29

-0.30

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.14

2.01

-2.14

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.23

6.08

-6.31

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XFLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the XSTB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XFLB.TO and XSTB.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

XFLB.TOXSTB.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.09

1.46

-1.55

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.77

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.03

0.79

-0.82

Drawdowns

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XFLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, which is greater than XSTB.TO's maximum drawdown of -6.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XFLB.TO and XSTB.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XFLB.TOXSTB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-20.54%

-6.92%

-13.62%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.04%

-1.35%

-5.69%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.61%

-1.35%

-14.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-6.76%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.31%

-0.24%

-9.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.16%

-1.42%

-6.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.09%

0.45%

+3.64%

Volatility

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF (XFLB.TO) has a higher volatility of 3.80% compared to iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB.TO) at 0.69%. This indicates that XFLB.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XSTB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XFLB.TOXSTB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.80%

0.69%

+3.11%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.15%

1.51%

+6.64%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.27%

1.86%

+8.41%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.65%

2.53%

+13.12%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.65%

2.72%

+12.93%

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XFLB.TO and XSTB.TO have an expense ratio of 0.17%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XFLB.TO vs. XSTB.TO - Dividend Comparison

XFLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%, more than XSTB.TO's 2.88% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019
XFLB.TO
iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF		3.06%3.05%2.72%2.27%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
XSTB.TO
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF		2.88%2.88%2.64%2.22%1.93%1.82%2.10%1.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

XFLB.TO and XSTB.TO have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Both ETFs have the same 0.17% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XFLB.TO and XSTB.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.17% per year.

XFLB.TO tracks Morningstar Can 10+Y Core Bd GR CAD, while XSTB.TO tracks Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD.

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