VCNS
Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio

Full VCNS fund page
VS
ZSP
BMO S&P 500 Index ETF

Full ZSP fund page

Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VCNS focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Municipal, and Information Technology, while ZSP leans towards Information Technology, Financials, and Communication Services. When evaluating costs, VCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.08% for ZSP. Performance-wise, VCNS has returned 2.95% year-to-date with +$98 M in net flows, whereas ZSP is at 4.49% with +$289 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.

NAV Performance and Flows

-2.00.02.04.06.08.0%Mar 24Mar 31Apr 8Apr 15Apr 22

Key Data

Historical performance and flows

As of April 24, 2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y
Perf.
VCNS
+3.85%+1.10%+2.95%+13.94%+34.02%
ZSP
+8.57%+2.97%+4.49%+30.08%+80.55%
Flows
VCNS
+$17 M+$76 M+$98 M+$255 M+$253 M
ZSP
+$150 M-$142 M+$289 M+$1,324 M+$4,542 M

VCNS vs ZSP exposure

Countries

VCNS
Canada
47.84%
USA
29.01%
Other
23.15%
ZSP
USA
96.98%

Sectors

VCNS
Sovereign
19.60%
Other
16.25%
Municipal
10.70%
Information Technology
7.94%
Financials
7.62%
Other
37.89%
ZSP
Information Technology
33.63%
Financials
10.49%
Communication Services
10.10%
Consumer Discretionary
9.94%
Health Care
9.40%
Industrials
8.34%
Other
18.10%
As of April 24, 2026

Top 10 Holdings

VCNS
NVIDIA
1.12%
APPLE
1.04%
ROYAL BK CANADA
0.86%
MICROSOFT-T
0.77%
TORONTO DOMINION
0.59%
CA135087T537
0.56%
AMAZON.COM INC
0.56%
CA135087T792
0.55%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
0.55%
CA135087T388
0.51%
ZSP
NVIDIA
7.39%
APPLE
6.67%
MICROSOFT-T
4.90%
AMAZON.COM INC
3.61%
ALPHABET INC-CL
2.93%
BROADCOM LIMITED
2.56%
ALPHABET INC-CL
2.35%
META PLATFORMS
2.16%
TESLA
1.84%
BERKSHIRE HATHWAY
1.60%

Diversification

VCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 34,004 total
7.12%
ZSP
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 502 total
36.04%

Characteristics

Compare
VCNS
ZSP
ProviderVanguardBMO
ManagementActively managedPassively managed
Benchmark-S&P 500 CAD Total Return Index - CAD
Replication MethodDirect (Physical)
Asset ClassEquity, Fixed IncomeEquity
Dividend PolicyDistributingDistributing
Trailing 12m distribution yield2.49%0.80%
Meets ESG criteriaNoNo
Inception DateFebruary 1, 2018November 14, 2012

Frequently asked questions about VCNS and ZSP

Which ETF has performed better year to date: VCNS or ZSP?
As of April 24, 2026, VCNS has returned 2.95% year to date, while ZSP has returned 4.49%. ZSP is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VCNS or ZSP?
As of April 24, 2026, VCNS manages $850.71 M in assets, while ZSP manages $22.26 B. ZSP is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VCNS and ZSP managed?
VCNS is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index. ZSP is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the S&P 500 CAD Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VCNS and ZSP emphasize?
VCNS is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Information Technology. ZSP is most exposed to Information Technology, Financials, and Communication Services.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VCNS or ZSP?
Year to date, VCNS has seen +$97.66 M in net flows, compared with +$288.65 M for ZSP. ZSP has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VCNS and ZSP compare?
VCNS has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while ZSP has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of VCNS and ZSP?
VCNS's largest holdings include NVIDIA and APPLE. ZSP's top holdings include NVIDIA, APPLE, and ALPHABET INC-CL.
Which ETF is more diversified: VCNS or ZSP?
VCNS holds 24941 securities, while ZSP holds 477. On holdings count, VCNS is the more diversified portfolio.

Recent articles about VCNS and ZSP

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