A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BNDX) and iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSTH) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | BNDX | XSTH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.02%✓ | -3.76% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.36% | -0.25%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.38%✓ | -0.50% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.06%✓ | -0.03% |
| Current Price | $47.47 | $35.86 |
| AUM | $85.33B✓ | $2.57B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.06% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 4.54% | 4.92%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2013-05-31 | 2021-07-06 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Global Bonds | Global Bonds |
| Beta | 0.63 | 0.10 |
| 52-Week High | $48.19 | $36.93 |
| 52-Week Low | $46.51 | $35.57 |
| 50-Day MA | $47.13 | $35.96 |
| 200-Day MA | $47.90 | $36.84 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | BNDX | XSTH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.02%✓ | -3.76% |
| 1 Year | +0.09% | +0.48%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.00%✓ | +3.10% |
| 5 Year | +0.27% | +1.77%✓ |
| 10 Year | +1.78%✓ | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 3.91% | 2.08% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.02 | 0.12 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IBM | International Business Machines | 0.01% |
| 1 | STIP | iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF | 100.44% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | BNDX | XSTH |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About BNDX
The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). This index provides a broad-based measure of the global, investment-grade, fixed-rate bond markets. It is non-diversified.
About XSTH
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both BNDX and XSTH are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, BNDX scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BNDX and XSTH?
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and XSTH (iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($85.33B vs $2.57B), dividend yield (4.54% vs 4.92%), and year-to-date performance (-1.02% vs -3.76%).
Is BNDX better than XSTH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, BNDX has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy BNDX and XSTH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both BNDX and XSTH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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