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Updated June 3
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Canadian Bond ETFs
Canadian bond ETFs invest in debt securities issued by the federal government, provinces and Canadian corporations. They offer exposure to the Canadian bond market without currency risk.
Why invest
Portfolio stability without currency risk exposure. Canadian government bonds are considered very safe.
How to choose
Choose based on desired average duration and issuer type (government vs corporate).
ZAG vs VAB: what is the difference for Canadian bonds?
ZAG (BMO) and VAB (Vanguard) track similar Canadian bond indices. Differences are minor: MER fees, number of holdings and weighting. Both are excellent choices for diversified Canadian bond exposure.
Government vs corporate bonds: which to choose?
Government bonds are safer but offer lower yield. Corporate bonds offer higher yield in exchange for credit risk. An aggregate ETF like ZAG combines both for a good balance.
Should I hold Canadian bonds in an RRSP or TFSA?
RRSP is generally preferable since bond interest is taxed at full marginal rate. Reserve your TFSA for higher-growth assets like equities.
Canadian Bond ETFs
Canadian bond ETFs invest in debt securities issued by the federal government, provinces and Canadian corporations. They offer exposure to the Canadian bond market without currency risk.
Why invest
Portfolio stability without currency risk exposure. Canadian government bonds are considered very safe.
How to choose
Choose based on desired average duration and issuer type (government vs corporate).
ZAG vs VAB: what is the difference for Canadian bonds?
ZAG (BMO) and VAB (Vanguard) track similar Canadian bond indices. Differences are minor: MER fees, number of holdings and weighting. Both are excellent choices for diversified Canadian bond exposure.
Government vs corporate bonds: which to choose?
Government bonds are safer but offer lower yield. Corporate bonds offer higher yield in exchange for credit risk. An aggregate ETF like ZAG combines both for a good balance.
Should I hold Canadian bonds in an RRSP or TFSA?
RRSP is generally preferable since bond interest is taxed at full marginal rate. Reserve your TFSA for higher-growth assets like equities.
Holdings | Strategy | Dist. Freq. | Market | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PU SYLD Strategic Yield Fund | +9.80% | 0.80% | 5.87% | 2018 | 207M$ | 0.17 | Active | Mo. | 7K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA QEBL Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Index ETF | +5.29% | 0.45% | 5.78% | 2019 | 117M$ | 0.22 | Index | Mo. | 587 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI CXF Canadian Convertible Bond ETF | +4.65% | 0.65% | 4.59% | 2011 | 60M$ | 0.21 | Active | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA MFT Floating Rate Income ETF | +3.19% | 0.60% | - | 8.15% | 2016 | 321M$ | 0.02 | Index | Mo. | 6K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
CI CAFR CIBC Active Investment Grade Floating Rate Bond ETF | +3.08% | 0.30% | 3.47% | 2019 | 553M$ | 0.00 | Active | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS XFR Floating Rate Index ETF | +3.04% | 0.12% | 2.81% | 2011 | 826M$ | -0.01 | Index | Mo. | 60K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IN PFL Canadian Government Floating Rate Index ETF | +2.87% | 0.12% | 2.71% | 2014 | 256M$ | -0.01 | Index | Mo. | 11K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
PU BND Global Bond Fund | +2.82% | 0.43% | +6 | 5.41% | 2015 | 1.5G$ | 0.41 | Index | Mo. | 53K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
DY DXO Active Crossover Bond ETF | +2.77% | 0.50% | 5.42% | 2017 | 106M$ | 0.51 | Active | Mo. | 1K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI CMEY Marret Alternative Enhanced Yield Fund | +2.69% | 0.80% | +9 | 4.38% | 2020 | 7M$ | 0.05 | Active | Mo. | 1K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
EV EARN Active Global Fixed Income Fund | +2.52% | 0.65% | 4.55% | 2018 | 30M$ | 0.12 | Active | Mo. | 330 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
PU IGB Global Bond Class | +2.49% | 0.50% | +9 | 4.96% | 2013 | 388M$ | 0.41 | Index | Mo. | 18K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
GL HAF Active Global Fixed Income ETF | +2.23% | 0.45% | 4.97% | 2009 | 66M$ | 0.41 | Active | Mo. | 7K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
NA NSCB NBI Sustainable Canadian Bond ETF | +2.01% | 0.55% | 3.02% | 2020 | 2.8G$ | 1.14 | Thematic | Mo. | 2K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
GL HMP Active Canadian Municipal Bond ETF | +1.91% | 0.25% | 3.19% | 2015 | 72M$ | 0.43 | Active | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IA ICPB Agile Core Plus Bond Fund | +1.68% | 0.50% | 4.91% | 2018 | 74M$ | 0.50 | Index | Mo. | 10K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
BR BPRF Flaherty & Crumrine Investment Grade Preferred ETF | +1.47% | 0.75% | 5.87% | 2018 | 148M$ | 0.24 | Active | Mo. | 7K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA MUB Unconstrained Bond ETF | +1.41% | 0.50% | +9 | 4.95% | 2016 | 1.2G$ | 0.67 | Index | Mo. | 38K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
BM ZMBS Canadian MBS Index ETF | +1.40% | 0.15% | 2.46% | 2020 | 465M$ | 0.01 | Index | Mo. | 386 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS CLG 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF | +1.22% | 0.17% | 2.56% | 2011 | 939M$ | 0.74 | Index | Mo. | 13K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
BR BEPR Flaherty & Crumrine Enhanced Investment Grade Preferred ETF | +1.17% | 1.93% | +9 | 9.03% | 2004 | 60M$ | 0.29 | Active | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
NA NUBF NBI Unconstrained Fixed Income ETF | +1.12% | 0.75% | 4.52% | 2019 | 3.0G$ | 0.36 | Active | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA BSKT Smart Core Bond ETF | +0.97% | 0.24% | 3.34% | 2020 | 763M$ | 1.04 | Index | Mo. | 35K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS XQB High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF | +0.80% | 0.13% | 3.13% | 2009 | 532M$ | 1.00 | Factor | Mo. | 8K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
TD TGFI TD Active Global Income ETF | +0.77% | 0.55% | 5.21% | 2019 | 365M$ | 0.43 | Active | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI FIG Investment Grade Bond ETF | +0.75% | 0.65% | 4.08% | 2009 | 217M$ | 0.46 | Active | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA MKB Canadian Strategic Fixed Income ETF | +0.75% | 0.40% | +9 | 3.80% | 2016 | 913M$ | 1.09 | Active | Mo. | 21K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
GU GCBD Canadian Bond Fund | +0.75% | 0.30% | 3.33% | 2021 | 46M$ | 0.73 | Index | Mo. | 2K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
DE DRCU RI Active Canadian Bond - Net-Zero Emissions Pathway ETF | +0.65% | 0.35% | 3.64% | 2018 | 45M$ | 1.13 | Active | Mo. | 336 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA QEBH Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | +0.61% | 0.45% | 4.81% | 2019 | 321M$ | 0.83 | Index | Mo. | 863 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA QBB Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | +0.59% | 0.07% | 3.24% | 2018 | 1.4G$ | 1.11 | Index | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI CCBI CIBC Canadian Bond Index ETF | +0.57% | 0.06% | 3.05% | 2021 | 147M$ | 1.13 | Index | Mo. | 16K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS XBB Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF | +0.57% | 0.10% | 3.43% | 2000 | 10.0G$ | 1.13 | Index | Mo. | 207K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
DY DXB Active Tactical Bond ETF | +0.57% | 0.55% | 4.32% | 2017 | 160M$ | 0.72 | Active | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
TD TDB TD Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | +0.57% | 0.07% | 3.59% | 2016 | 3.8G$ | 1.11 | Index | Mo. | 128K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
DE DCU Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF | +0.46% | 0.47% | 2.92% | 2017 | 2.2G$ | 1.10 | Index | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
VA VAB Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | +0.46% | 0.08% | 3.35% | 2011 | 7.3G$ | 1.13 | Index | Mo. | 199K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS XSAB ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | +0.45% | 0.17% | 3.02% | 2019 | 238M$ | 1.12 | Thematic | Mo. | 12K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
GL HAD Active Canadian Bond ETF | +0.45% | 0.30% | 3.68% | 2012 | 44M$ | 1.28 | Active | Mo. | 2K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI FGO Enhanced Government Bond ETF | +0.23% | 0.55% | 3.26% | 2018 | 683M$ | 0.63 | Index | Qtr. | 8K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
VA VGV Canadian Government Bond Index ETF | -0.14% | 0.10% | 3.10% | 2017 | 148M$ | 1.24 | Index | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA MGB Core Plus Global Fixed Income ETF | -0.22% | 0.50% | 3.99% | 2016 | 107M$ | 0.41 | Index | Mo. | 2K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
BM ZEF Emerging Markets Bond Hedged to CAD Index ETF | -0.31% | 0.50% | 4.26% | 2010 | 809M$ | 0.67 | Index | Mo. | 5K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
FR FLGA Franklin Global Core Bond Fund | -0.32% | 0.35% | 2.78% | 2018 | 391M$ | 0.28 | Index | Mo. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
TD TULB TD U.S. Long Term Treasury Bond ETF | -0.89% | 0.20% | 4.68% | 2019 | 229M$ | 2.35 | Index | Qtr. | 3K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA QDXB Developed ex-North America Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | -0.90% | 0.30% | 1.99% | 2020 | 44M$ | 0.26 | Index | Mo. | 793 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
CI CDLB DoubleLine Total Return Bond US$ Fund | -1.07% | 0.60% | 4.57% | 2020 | 1M$ | 0.55 | Index | Mo. | 740 | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
MA QUB U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | -1.16% | 0.15% | +9 | 3.29% | 2020 | 99M$ | 0.59 | Index | Mo. | 1K | 🇨🇦 Canada | ||
IS XRB Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF | -1.55% | 0.39% | 3.30% | 2005 | 267M$ | 1.78 | Index | Semi-ann. | 9K | 🇨🇦 Canada | |||
IS XLB Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF | -1.62% | 0.20% | 3.70% | 2006 | 754M$ | 2.23 | Index | Mo. | 55K | 🇨🇦 Canada |