XSB.TO vs. CTA
XSB.TO (iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XSB.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund tracking the Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. XSB.TO is passively managed, while CTA is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, XSB.TO returned 4.97%/yr vs 11.05%/yr for CTA. At a correlation of -0.28, they often move in opposite directions. XSB.TO charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.
Performance
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
XSB.TO is traded in CAD, while CTA is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the CTA values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XSB.TO achieves a 1.18% return, which is significantly lower than CTA's 8.25% return.
XSB.TO
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.82%
- YTD
- 1.18%
- 6M
- 1.40%
- 1Y
- 3.30%
- 3Y*
- 4.97%
- 5Y*
- 2.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.97%
CTA
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -8.70%
- YTD
- 8.25%
- 6M
- 10.03%
- 1Y
- 9.39%
- 3Y*
- 11.05%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XSB.TO iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF | 1.18% | 3.70% | 5.87% | 4.67% | -2.83% |
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 8.25% | -3.72% | 34.66% | -4.56% | 15.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between XSB.TO and CTA is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022 | -0.28 |
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Return for Risk
XSB.TO vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank
XSB.TO
CTA
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB.TO) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). 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.
| XSB.TO | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.08 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.20 | 0.74 | +1.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.28 | 1.68 | +5.60 |
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Drawdowns
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XSB.TO drawdown since its inception was -8.65%, smaller than the maximum CTA drawdown of -19.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSB.TO and CTA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XSB.TO | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.65% | -19.61% | +10.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.47% | -10.86% | +9.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.47% | -14.22% | +12.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.99% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.65% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -10.86% | +10.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.79% | -6.84% | +6.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.44% | 4.78% | -4.34% |
Volatility
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB.TO) is 0.71%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 6.26%. This indicates that XSB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XSB.TO | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.71% | 6.26% | -5.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.61% | 18.04% | -16.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.00% | 20.73% | -18.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.72% | 18.00% | -15.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.40% | 18.00% | -14.60% |
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
XSB.TO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
XSB.TO vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison
XSB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.10%, less than CTA's 5.13% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.13% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XSB.TO iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF | 3.10% | 3.15% | 3.05% | 2.67% | 2.28% | 2.05% | 2.21% | 2.39% | 2.39% | 2.36% | 2.36% | 2.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XSB.TO and CTA have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, XSB.TO is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
XSB.TO is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
XSB.TO is categorized as Canadian Government Bonds, while CTA is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for XSB.TO and 0.78% for CTA.
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