A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) 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 | IUSB | VPLS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.21%✓ | -3.44% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.14%✓ | -0.26% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.65%✓ | -0.83% |
| 1-Month Change | -2.48% | -2.70%✓ |
| Current Price | $44.03 | $73.82 |
| AUM | $47.83B✓ | $1.97B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.06%✓ | 0.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.29% | 4.58%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | — |
| Inception Date | 2014-06-10 | 2023-12-07 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | — |
| Category | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond |
| Beta | 0.96 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $45.92 | $77.28 |
| 52-Week Low | $43.77 | $73.89 |
| 50-Day MA | $45.23 | $75.99 |
| 200-Day MA | $46.05 | $77.36 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | IUSB | VPLS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.21%✓ | -3.44% |
| 1 Year | -0.61% | -0.42%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.61% | — |
| 5 Year | -0.23% | — |
| 10 Year | +1.51% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 3.12% | 3.30% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.01 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TMCXX | BlackRock Liquidity Funds - TempCash | 4.49% |
| 1 | US16411QAN16 | CQP 3.25 31-JAN-32 | 0.28% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | IUSB | VPLS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 77.68% |
| 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% | 22.32% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About IUSB
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and to-be-announced transactions ("TBAs") that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the underlying index. The index measures the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated taxable bonds that are rated either investment-grade or high yield.
About VPLS
The Target Index includes U.S. government and agencyobligations, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backedsecurities, and emerging market bonds, all denominated in the U.S. dollar andwith maturities of at least one year. Under normal circumstances, the fundinvests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings forinvestment purposes, in the bonds that make up the Target Index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both IUSB and VPLS 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, IUSB 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 IUSB and VPLS?
IUSB (iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF) and VPLS (Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($47.83B vs $1.97B), dividend yield (4.29% vs 4.58%), and year-to-date performance (-3.21% vs -3.44%).
Is IUSB better than VPLS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, IUSB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy IUSB and VPLS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both IUSB and VPLS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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