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Compare Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) vs iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (GCNS) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VCNS provides Sovereign, Finance, and Technology exposures, while GCNS is primarily weighted in Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. When evaluating costs, VCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.22% for GCNS. Performance-wise, VCNS has returned 5.65% year-to-date with +$220 M in net flows, whereas GCNS is at 7.12% with +$28 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
VCNS
GCNS
| AuM | $984.20 M | $89.90 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VCNS | +0.52% | +0.93% | +5.65% | +5.43% | +42.26% |
GCNS | +0.02% | +1.30% | +7.12% | +6.81% | +47.02% | |
| Flows | VCNS | +$18 M | +$47 M | +$220 M | +$292 M | +$393 M |
GCNS | -$0 M | +$6 M | +$28 M | +$34 M | +$63 M |
VCNS vs GCNS exposure
Countries
VCNS
Canada
45.42%
USA
28.88%
Other
25.70%
GCNS
Canada
62.30%
USA
24.61%
Other
13.09%
Sectors
VCNS
Sovereign
24.86%
Finance
18.35%
Technology
11.79%
Municipal
10.90%
Other
34.11%
GCNS
Finance
32.92%
Sovereign
16.49%
Technology
13.96%
Municipal
12.29%
Other
24.35%
As of October 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VCNS
NVIDIA Corp.
1.34%
Apple, Inc.
1.25%
Microsoft Corp.
0.98%
Royal Bank of Canada
0.97%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
0.68%
Shopify, Inc.
0.64%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
0.63%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.62%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
0.61%
Alphabet, Inc.
0.52%
GCNS
CA46437Q1081
18.52%
CA46432E1007
17.83%
CA45033L1094
15.86%
CA46431U1057
12.80%
CA46436U1003
12.46%
CA46438D1069
10.60%
CA46436Y1025
7.45%
US4642874329
4.39%
Diversification
VCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 33,904 total
8.24%
GCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,365 total
99.91%
Characteristics
Compare
VCNS
GCNS
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| Replication Method | - | - |
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity, Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.55% | 2.15% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | Yes |
| Inception Date | February 1, 2018 | September 14, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about VCNS and GCNS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VCNS or GCNS?
As of October 29, 2026, VCNS has returned 5.65% year to date, while GCNS has returned 7.12%. GCNS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VCNS or GCNS?
As of October 29, 2026, VCNS manages $984.20 M in assets, while GCNS manages $89.90 M. VCNS is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VCNS and GCNS managed?
VCNS is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index. GCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
Which ETF is more diversified: VCNS or GCNS?
VCNS holds 28079 securities, while GCNS holds 1. On holdings count, VCNS is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VCNS or GCNS?
Year to date, VCNS has seen +$219.92 M in net flows, compared with +$28.00 M for GCNS. VCNS has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VCNS and GCNS compare?
VCNS has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while GCNS has an expense ratio of 0.23%.
What sectors do VCNS and GCNS emphasize?
VCNS is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Technology. GCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology.
Recent articles about VCNS and GCNS
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