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XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLB.TO (iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF) and XRB.TO (iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLB.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund tracking the Morningstar Can 10+Y Core Bd GR CAD, while XRB.TO is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the FTSE Canada Real Return Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLB.TO returned 4.56%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for XRB.TO. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XLB.TO charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for XRB.TO.

Performance

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB.TO) and iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB.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, XLB.TO achieves a 2.77% return, which is significantly higher than XRB.TO's 2.56% return. Over the past 10 years, XLB.TO has outperformed XRB.TO with an annualized return of 4.56%, while XRB.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 0.06% annualized return.

XLB.TO

1D
-0.11%
1M
3.02%
YTD
2.77%
6M
0.93%
1Y
2.84%
3Y*
8.16%
5Y*
4.63%
10Y*
4.56%

XRB.TO

1D
-0.13%
1M
1.21%
YTD
2.56%
6M
0.86%
1Y
3.06%
3Y*
1.50%
5Y*
-1.66%
10Y*
0.06%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLB.TO
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF		2.77%-0.76%9.49%19.21%-14.38%1.26%16.52%12.85%-0.25%7.11%
XRB.TO
iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF		2.56%0.05%3.95%-2.15%-15.01%-1.30%12.11%5.93%-1.23%-0.11%

Correlation

The correlation between XLB.TO and XRB.TO is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

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

0.85

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

0.78

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

0.75

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

0.72

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2006

0.67

The correlation between XLB.TO and XRB.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (all time) to 0.85 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF

iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF

Often compared with XLB.TO:
XLB.TO vs. XBB.TOXLB.TO vs. XSB.TOXLB.TO vs. TLTXLB.TO vs. XTLT.TOXLB.TO vs. XCB.TOXLB.TO vs. ZFL.TOXLB.TO vs. XHB.TO
Often compared with XRB.TO:
XRB.TO vs. XSTP.TOXRB.TO vs. XBB.TOXRB.TO vs. XBBXRB.TO vs. XSB.TOXRB.TO vs. VTIPXRB.TO vs. XEI.TOXRB.TO vs. XCB.TO

Return for Risk

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLB.TO
XLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1414
Overall Rank
XLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1414
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1212
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
XLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 1616
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1414
Martin Ratio Rank
XRB.TO
XRB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
XRB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XRB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
XRB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
XRB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
XRB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
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.

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB.TO) and iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB.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.

XLB.TOXRB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.36
0.45

-0.09

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.54
0.68

-0.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.08

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.59

0.87

-0.28

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.11

1.73

-0.62

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

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is comparable to the XRB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLB.TO and XRB.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

XLB.TOXRB.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.36

0.45

-0.09

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.37

-0.14

+0.51

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.39

0.01

+0.38

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.55

0.27

+0.28

Drawdowns

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -24.34%, smaller than the maximum XRB.TO drawdown of -26.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLB.TO and XRB.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLB.TOXRB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.34%

-26.58%

+2.24%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.85%

-3.55%

-1.30%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-9.74%

-10.65%

+0.91%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.34%

-26.58%

+2.24%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.34%

-26.58%

+2.24%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.17%

-13.56%

+11.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.05%

-7.09%

+3.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.57%

1.78%

+0.79%

Volatility

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB.TO) and iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB.TO) have volatilities of 2.77% and 2.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XLB.TOXRB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.77%

2.72%

+0.05%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.77%

5.11%

+0.66%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

7.93%

6.85%

+1.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.68%

11.91%

+0.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

11.86%

11.35%

+0.51%

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLB.TO has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than XRB.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLB.TO vs. XRB.TO - Dividend Comparison

XLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.01%, more than XRB.TO's 3.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XLB.TO
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF		4.01%4.05%12.10%12.22%13.13%8.82%7.43%3.18%3.56%3.45%3.62%3.64%
XRB.TO
iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF		3.63%3.73%2.36%2.36%1.83%1.23%1.36%1.72%1.74%1.69%1.58%1.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

XLB.TO and XRB.TO have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XLB.TO is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XLB.TO is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for XRB.TO.

XLB.TO is categorized as Canadian Government Bonds, while XRB.TO is Inflation-Protected Bonds. XLB.TO tracks Morningstar Can 10+Y Core Bd GR CAD, while XRB.TO tracks FTSE Canada Real Return Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XLB.TO and 0.39% for XRB.TO.

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