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TSE:XSB

iShares DEX Short Term Bond (XSB.TO)

26.79
+0.01 (0.04%)
as of Aug 18, 2026, 7:59:59 pm Market Open.
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Investor Insights
star iconAug 18, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 2 opinions in the last 12 months.

The iShares DEX Short Term Bond ETF (XSB-T) is viewed positively by experts who recommend it as a strategic addition to a retirement portfolio, particularly for those approaching retirement with a heavy equity focus. The fund offers a laddered approach to fixed income, providing a buffer against market volatility through a diverse selection of short-term corporate bonds. Experts highlight the importance of fixed income in managing risk, especially during periods of market shocks, where bonds often serve as a stabilizing force. Additionally, the ETF yields around 3%, which is seen as attractive for generating monthly cash flow. Overall, there are recommendations to consider alternative investments in quality corporate bonds directly, but the ETF remains a favorable option for those seeking convenience and lower risk.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Fair Value
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BMO,ZXB
COMMENT

In his institutional mandates, he has to have a minimum of 30% in fixed income, and he is not particularly positive on bond returns over the next 12-18 months, as he expects longer-term interest rates to start rising. In his case, he has 7.5%, and 30% is in the short-term bond index XSB-T. He is using that to reduce the duration of that bond portfolio. In this case, about half the bond portfolio is in the US in the fixed income market, with the other half being in Canada split evenly between the bond index XBB and XSB on the short term.

BUY

Seasonality around fixed income is inverse to equities. So buy in May and go away in the fall if not holding for the long term. You get a lot of your own money back in their yield. You have to look at the yield to maturity, not the coupon.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 30/13. Up 3.04%.) Very broad and diverse. He likes that there are about 240-250 different bonds in it. Never trust yield. Take a look beyond the 1st page where it gives you the quote, and look at what its “yield to maturity” is. That is what you are actually getting.

DON'T BUY

It is such a challenging time. XSB is a short term bond index. Good, low cross product, but pretty tough to make money in this environment. Even if rates don’t go up, you won’t make much money. A daily interest savings account might be just as good.

TOP PICK

This is the grandfather of all the bond ETFs. Likes this because durations are short, about 2.7 years.

BUY

Bond ETFs for an RRSP? The granddaddy of them all is the XSB-T. About two thirds government and one third corporate and is all investment grade. Bank of Montréal and horizon also have some very interesting income-based products as well.

TOP PICK
2/3rd government and 1/3 corporate. Very little variation. Quote safe. It doesn’t move very much. Short term bonds
BUY
Hedged to Canadian Dollars. Part of US strength is from US$ weakness. Believes oil will be strong but connected o global growth and so will be more volatile.
BUY
DEX Short Term Bond ETF. If interest rates go up over time, will payment per month go up as new issues come in? He always has these in his clients and personal portfolios. About2/3rds government and 1/3 corporate. If rates go up in the longer ones, you will get hurt. Duration is around 2.6-2.7 years.
COMMENT
DEX Short Term Bond. Do you really get hurt with short-term bonds? You may see a bit of erosion in asset value but it will keep paying out distributions. Also you may underperform the broader market. A good component of any portfolio. Long bonds will outperform short bonds over the next 20 years.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 22/10. Up 3.25%.) DEX Short Term Bond ETF.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick March 4/10. Up 4.6%.) Basically holds about 2/3 Canadian government and provincial bonds and the rest is corporate. Likes it because it is a short bond.
COMMENT
DEX Short Term Bond ETF. When the bonds mature would the manager of the fund be tempted to tighten up a little? Really depends on the ETF you are purchasing. They pretty much have to stick to their mandate of whether it is short, medium or long bonds.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick March 4/10. Up 1.95%.) Yield to maturity is the most important thing and is currently about 2% and current yield is about 3.6%.
BUY
DEX Short Term Bond ETF. 1.89% yield. 1 to 5 year Canada, Canada agencies, provincial and corporate bonds. Has a short duration and the reasonably good place to park money.
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