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XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (XSH.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.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, XSH.TO achieves a 1.33% return, which is significantly lower than VDY.TO's 20.59% return. Over the past 10 years, XSH.TO has underperformed VDY.TO with an annualized return of 2.82%, while VDY.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 14.02% annualized return.


XSH.TO

1D
0.00%
1M
1.13%
YTD
1.33%
6M
1.34%
1Y
3.85%
3Y*
6.05%
5Y*
2.86%
10Y*
2.82%

VDY.TO

1D
-0.07%
1M
4.52%
YTD
20.59%
6M
22.32%
1Y
46.18%
3Y*
26.00%
5Y*
17.21%
10Y*
14.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XSH.TO
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF
1.33%4.61%7.11%6.80%-4.52%-0.81%6.28%5.02%1.28%0.78%
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF
20.59%29.20%20.71%8.40%-0.23%36.78%-1.37%21.43%-10.09%8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between XSH.TO and VDY.TO is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.


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

0.15

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

0.17

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

0.10

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

0.03

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2012

0.00

The correlation between XSH.TO and VDY.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.00 (all time) to 0.17 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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Return for Risk

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSH.TO
XSH.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
XSH.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSH.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSH.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
XSH.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSH.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank

VDY.TO
VDY.TO Risk / Return Rank: 9898
Overall Rank
VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 9898
Omega Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
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.

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (XSH.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.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.


XSH.TOVDY.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-3.86

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-5.63

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

2.14

-0.78

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.57

14.88

-12.32

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.05

60.75

-50.70

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSH.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio of 5.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSH.TO and VDY.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


XSH.TOVDY.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.79

5.65

-3.86

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.02

1.50

-0.48

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.64

0.88

-0.24

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.74

0.84

-0.10

Drawdowns

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSH.TO drawdown since its inception was -14.24%, smaller than the maximum VDY.TO drawdown of -39.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSH.TO and VDY.TO.


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Drawdown Indicators


XSH.TOVDY.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-14.24%

-39.21%

+24.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.51%

-3.12%

+1.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.51%

-10.87%

+9.36%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-7.80%

-16.18%

+8.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-14.24%

-39.21%

+24.97%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.77%

+0.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.93%

-4.61%

+3.68%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.38%

0.76%

-0.38%

Volatility

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (XSH.TO) is 0.80%, while Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) has a volatility of 3.31%. This indicates that XSH.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDY.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


XSH.TOVDY.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.80%

3.31%

-2.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.83%

6.87%

-5.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.16%

8.21%

-6.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.83%

11.56%

-8.73%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.42%

15.96%

-11.54%

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSH.TO has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than VDY.TO's 0.22% 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

XSH.TO vs. VDY.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSH.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.89%, more than VDY.TO's 2.90% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF
2.90%3.59%4.40%4.64%4.42%3.58%4.59%4.25%4.43%3.82%3.25%4.11%
XSH.TO
iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF
3.89%3.82%3.64%3.24%2.97%2.65%2.61%2.80%2.86%2.93%3.08%3.18%

Frequently Asked Questions


XSH.TO and VDY.TO have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XSH.TO is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XSH.TO is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VDY.TO.

XSH.TO is categorized as Canadian Government Bonds, while VDY.TO is Dividend. XSH.TO tracks Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD, while VDY.TO tracks FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for XSH.TO and 0.22% for VDY.TO.

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