A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) and First Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF (FTSM) 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 | VBIL | FTSM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.90%✓ | +0.68% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.01%✓ | -0.07% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.09%✓ | +0.07% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.01% | +0.03%✓ |
| Current Price | $75.61 | $59.63 |
| AUM | $14.69B✓ | $6.83B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.06%✓ | 0.46% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.61% | 4.19%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2025-02-10 | 2014-08-05 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Short-Term Bonds | Short-Term Bonds |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.06 |
| 52-Week High | $75.77 | $60.48 |
| 52-Week Low | $72.89 | $57.56 |
| 50-Day MA | $75.62 | $59.67 |
| 200-Day MA | $75.58 | $59.83 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VBIL | FTSM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.90%✓ | +0.68% |
| 1 Year | +3.65%✓ | +3.50% |
| 3 Year | — | +4.84% |
| 5 Year | — | +3.77% |
| 10 Year | — | +2.75% |
| 1Y Volatility | 0.09% | 0.46% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | 0.23 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | VBIL | FTSM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 VBIL
The index includes U.S. treasury bills that have maturities of 3 months or less. Under normal circumstances, the fund will generally invest all, but at least 80% of its assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in the bonds that make up the Target Index.
About FTSM
Under normal market conditions, the Advisor intends to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed- and variable-rate debt securities. Normally the fund's portfolio is expected to have an average duration of less than one year and an average maturity of less than three years.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VBIL and FTSM 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, VBIL 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 VBIL and FTSM?
VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) and FTSM (First Trust Enhanced Short Maturity ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($14.69B vs $6.83B), dividend yield (3.61% vs 4.19%), and year-to-date performance (+0.90% vs +0.68%).
Is VBIL better than FTSM?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VBIL has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VBIL and FTSM on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VBIL and FTSM should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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