VS
Compare iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (GCNS) vs BMO Conservative ETF (ZCON) to find the best fit for your portfolio. GCNS provides Finance, Sovereign, and Technology exposures, while ZCON is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, GCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.18% for ZCON. Performance-wise, GCNS has returned 6.75% year-to-date with +$26 M in net flows, whereas ZCON is at 5.53% with +$35 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
GCNS
ZCON
| AuM | $88.26 M | $118.15 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.18% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.23% | 0.20% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | GCNS | -1.14% | -0.06% | +6.75% | +11.04% | +41.12% |
ZCON | -1.16% | -0.41% | +5.53% | +10.05% | +35.17% | |
| Flows | GCNS | +$3 M | +$12 M | +$26 M | +$37 M | +$62 M |
ZCON | +$7 M | +$17 M | +$35 M | +$47 M | +$64 M |
GCNS vs ZCON exposure
Countries
GCNS
Canada
63.58%
USA
24.09%
Other
12.33%
ZCON
Canada
52.05%
USA
32.65%
Other
15.30%
Sectors
GCNS
Finance
33.44%
Sovereign
16.79%
Technology
12.65%
Municipal
12.53%
Other
24.59%
ZCON
Sovereign
22.43%
Finance
16.59%
Municipal
13.27%
Technology
11.43%
Other
36.28%
As of September 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
GCNS
NVIDIA Corp.
1.98%
Royal Bank of Canada
1.34%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
1.30%
Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y
1.29%
Broadcom Inc.
1.25%
Shopify, Inc.
1.00%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
0.97%
Bank of Montreal
0.82%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
0.76%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
0.74%
ZCON
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
7.74%
CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100)
2.89%
Province of Quebec, 1.5% 1sep2031, CAD (B128)
2.29%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
2.18%
Province of Ontario, 2.65% 2dec2050, CAD (DMTN242)
2.15%
Province of Ontario, 2.05% 2jun2030, CAD (DMTN243)
2.14%
Sun Life Financial, 2.06% 1oct2035, CAD (2020-2)
2.09%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 1.896% 11sep2028, CAD
1.63%
Apple, Inc.
1.39%
NVIDIA Corp.
1.34%
Diversification
GCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,382 total
11.45%
ZCON
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 19,892 total
25.86%
Characteristics
Compare
GCNS
ZCON
| Provider | iShares | BMO |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity, Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.10% | 1.91% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | September 14, 2020 | February 15, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about GCNS and ZCON
Which ETF has performed better year to date: GCNS or ZCON?
As of September 2, 2026, GCNS has returned 6.75% year to date, while ZCON has returned 5.53%. GCNS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: GCNS or ZCON?
As of September 2, 2026, GCNS manages $88.26 M in assets, while ZCON manages $118.15 M. ZCON is the larger fund by AUM.
How are GCNS and ZCON managed?
GCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. ZCON is actively managed by BMO. It does not track an index.
What sectors do GCNS and ZCON emphasize?
GCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. ZCON is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: GCNS or ZCON?
Year to date, GCNS has seen +$26.21 M in net flows, compared with +$35.23 M for ZCON. ZCON has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of GCNS and ZCON compare?
GCNS has an expense ratio of 0.23%, while ZCON has an expense ratio of 0.20%.
What are the top holdings of GCNS and ZCON?
GCNS's largest holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ZCON's top holdings include Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y and CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100).
Which ETF is more diversified: GCNS or ZCON?
GCNS holds 1375 securities, while ZCON holds 11634. On holdings count, ZCON is the more diversified portfolio.
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