A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond (ISTB) and iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) 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 | ISTB | SLQD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.88% | -0.49%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.19%✓ | -0.19% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.15%✓ | -0.20% |
| 1-Month Change | -1.21% | -0.98%✓ |
| Current Price | $47.16 | $49.38 |
| AUM | $5.15B✓ | $2.43B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.28% | 4.37%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2012-10-18 | 2013-10-15 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Short-Term Bond | Short-Term Bond |
| Beta | 0.39 | 0.32 |
| 52-Week High | $47.79 | $49.87 |
| 52-Week Low | $46.66 | $48.50 |
| 50-Day MA | $47.82 | $49.96 |
| 200-Day MA | $48.32 | $50.37 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ISTB | SLQD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.88% | -0.49%✓ |
| 1 Year | +1.22% | +2.01%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.80% | +5.16%✓ |
| 5 Year | +1.75% | +2.46%✓ |
| 10 Year | +2.11% | +2.56%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 1.33% | 1.03% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.14 | 0.34 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | BISXX | BlackRock Cash Funds Instl SL Agency | 1.06% |
| 1 | XTSLA | BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency | 0.81% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ISTB | SLQD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ISTB
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the index and TBA transactions that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the index and it will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the index.
About SLQD
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index, and the fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the underlying index. The index is designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate debt.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ISTB and SLQD 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, SLQD 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 ISTB and SLQD?
ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond) and SLQD (iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($5.15B vs $2.43B), dividend yield (4.28% vs 4.37%), and year-to-date performance (-0.88% vs -0.49%).
Is ISTB better than SLQD?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ISTB and SLQD on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ISTB and SLQD should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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