A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond (VAB) and Global X Canadian Select Universe Bond Index Corporate Class ETF (HBB) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VAB | HBB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.22% | +1.77%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.74% | -0.45%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.78% | -0.55%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.30%✓ | -0.06% |
| Current Price | $22.95 | $50.67 |
| AUM | $7.43B✓ | $3.75B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.09% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.32% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | NA |
| Inception Date | 2011-11-30 | 2014-05-08 |
| Holdings Count | 6 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Fixed Income | Canadian Fixed Income |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.05 |
| 52-Week High | $23.19 | $51.03 |
| 52-Week Low | $21.87 | $48.49 |
| 50-Day MA | $22.92 | $50.40 |
| 200-Day MA | $23.06 | $50.28 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VAB | HBB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.22% | +1.77%✓ |
| 1 Year | +3.59%✓ | +3.23% |
| 3 Year | +4.35%✓ | +3.94% |
| 5 Year | +0.63%✓ | +0.27% |
| 10 Year | +1.53%✓ | +1.32% |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.00% | 4.18% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.09 | 0.01 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 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% |
| 1 | 100.00% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VAB | HBB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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.
About HBB
Global X Canadian Select Universe Bond Index Corporate Class ETF (HBB.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VAB and HBB are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
VAB and HBB are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- 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 VAB and HBB?
VAB (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond) and HBB (Global X Canadian Select Universe Bond Index Corporate Class ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($7.43B vs $3.75B), dividend yield (3.32% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+0.22% vs +1.77%).
Is VAB better than HBB?
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 VAB and HBB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VAB and HBB 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