A side-by-side comparison of Mackenzie Core Plus Canadian Fixed Income ETF (MKB) and Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond (VAB) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Get 200 free trades when you open an eligible CIBC Investor's Edge account with promo code EDGE2026.
- ✓200 free stock & ETF trades
- ✓Unlimited commission-free trades on 180+ select ETFs
- ✓Offer ends September 30, 2026
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | MKB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.05%✓ | -0.15% |
| 1-Day Change | 0.00% | +0.02%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.16%✓ | -0.41% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.31%✓ | -0.15% |
| Current Price | $19.09 | $22.86 |
| AUM | $912M | $7.43B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.56%✓ | 3.30% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2016-04-19 | 2011-11-30 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 6 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Fixed Income | Canadian Fixed Income |
| Beta | 0.94 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $19.32 | $23.19 |
| 52-Week Low | $18.22 | $21.87 |
| 50-Day MA | $19.12 | $22.92 |
| 200-Day MA | $19.25 | $23.05 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | MKB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.05%✓ | -0.15% |
| 1 Year | +4.11%✓ | +3.59% |
| 3 Year | +4.59%✓ | +4.35% |
| 5 Year | +0.91%✓ | +0.63% |
| 10 Year | +2.33%✓ | +1.53% |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.14% | 4.00% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.17 | 0.09 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | QBB | QBB | 1.43% |
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 2% | 1.93% | |
| 2 | Canada (Government of) 0.5% | 1.27% | |
| 3 | Canada (Government of) 1.75% | 1.22% | |
| 4 | Canada (Government of) 1.25% | 1.11% | |
| 5 | Ontario (Province Of) 3.45% | 0.94% | |
| 6 | Canada (Government of) 0.25% | 0.91% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | MKB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 MKB
NA
About VAB
Seeks to track the performance of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Index to the extent possible and before fees and expenses.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both MKB and VAB 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, MKB 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 MKB and VAB?
MKB (Mackenzie Core Plus Canadian Fixed Income ETF) and VAB (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($912M vs $7.43B), dividend yield (3.56% vs 3.30%), and year-to-date performance (-0.05% vs -0.15%).
Is MKB better than VAB?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, MKB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy MKB and VAB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both MKB and VAB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report