VS
Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF (XCNS) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VCNS focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal, while XCNS leans towards Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. When evaluating costs, VCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.18% for XCNS. Performance-wise, VCNS has returned 5.55% year-to-date with +$220 M in net flows, whereas XCNS is at 6.01% with +$122 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
XCNS
| AuM | $983.26 M | $448.97 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.18% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.25% | 0.18% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 28, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VCNS | +0.27% | -0.07% | +5.55% | +4.87% | +42.12% |
XCNS | +0.22% | +0.02% | +6.01% | +5.42% | +42.21% | |
| Flows | VCNS | +$17 M | +$47 M | +$220 M | +$292 M | +$393 M |
XCNS | +$12 M | +$32 M | +$122 M | +$152 M | +$295 M |
VCNS vs XCNS exposure
Countries
VCNS
Canada
46.16%
USA
28.34%
Other
25.50%
XCNS
Canada
54.65%
USA
30.56%
Other
14.78%
Sectors
VCNS
Sovereign
24.89%
Finance
18.52%
Municipal
11.11%
Technology
10.98%
Other
34.50%
XCNS
Finance
23.21%
Sovereign
18.62%
Technology
11.12%
Municipal
10.80%
Other
36.24%
As of October 28, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VCNS
NVIDIA Corp.
1.26%
Apple, Inc.
1.16%
Royal Bank of Canada
0.97%
Microsoft Corp.
0.94%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
0.69%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
0.65%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.63%
Shopify, Inc.
0.61%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
0.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
0.54%
XCNS
CA46430T1093
37.61%
US4642871507
19.00%
CA46430J1012
9.95%
CA46434T1057
9.92%
CA46431X1096
9.59%
US46429B2676
5.97%
US4642886208
5.58%
CA46434U1021
1.91%
Diversification
VCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 33,738 total
8.00%
XCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,879 total
99.52%
Characteristics
Compare
VCNS
XCNS
| 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% | 2.67% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | February 1, 2018 | August 7, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about VCNS and XCNS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VCNS or XCNS?
As of October 28, 2026, VCNS has returned 5.55% year to date, while XCNS has returned 6.01%. XCNS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VCNS or XCNS?
As of October 28, 2026, VCNS manages $983.26 M in assets, while XCNS manages $448.97 M. VCNS is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VCNS and XCNS managed?
VCNS is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index. XCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
Which ETF is more diversified: VCNS or XCNS?
VCNS holds 28146 securities, while XCNS holds 1. On holdings count, VCNS is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VCNS or XCNS?
Year to date, VCNS has seen +$219.92 M in net flows, compared with +$121.83 M for XCNS. VCNS has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VCNS and XCNS compare?
VCNS has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while XCNS has an expense ratio of 0.18%.
What sectors do VCNS and XCNS emphasize?
VCNS is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. XCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology.
Recent articles about VCNS and XCNS
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All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.