VS
Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (VSC) and BMO Core Plus Bond Fund ETF (ZCPB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VSC focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Energy, and Telecommunications, while ZCPB leans towards Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, VSC features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.5% for ZCPB. Performance-wise, VSC has returned 1.23% year-to-date with +$341 M in net flows, whereas ZCPB is at 0.26% with +$543 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
VSC
ZCPB
| AuM | $1,621.38 M | $2,877.51 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.50% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.11% | 0.56% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.19% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VSC | -0.36% | -0.03% | +1.23% | +2.93% | +20.54% |
ZCPB | -1.16% | -1.82% | +0.26% | +2.13% | +13.87% | |
| Flows | VSC | +$65 M | +$140 M | +$341 M | +$536 M | +$583 M |
ZCPB | -$71 M | +$45 M | +$543 M | +$753 M | +$1,647 M |
VSC vs ZCPB exposure
Countries
VSC
Canada
88.89%
USA
8.55%
ZCPB
Canada
88.44%
USA
8.42%
Sectors
VSC
Finance
65.86%
Energy
7.68%
Other
26.45%
ZCPB
Finance
31.18%
Sovereign
23.22%
Municipal
21.63%
Other
23.96%
As of September 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VSC
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD
1.15%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD
0.92%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD
0.91%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD
0.91%
CIBC, 3.65% 13jan2032, CAD
0.86%
Bank of Montreal, 4.709% 7dec2027, CAD
0.85%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.734% 27jun2031, CAD
0.83%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.477% 18jan2028, CAD
0.81%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
0.79%
Bank of Montreal, 3.539% 3mar2032, CAD
0.77%
ZCPB
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
4.18%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
3.31%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
3.04%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.95%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2036, USD (C-2036)
2.23%
Province of Ontario, 3.6% 2jun2035, CAD
2.02%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1dec2032, CAD
1.76%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1dec2055, CAD
1.58%
Province of Quebec, 3.25% 1sep2032, CAD (B131)
1.44%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2045, CAD (B112)
1.16%
Diversification
VSC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 450 total
8.81%
ZCPB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 496 total
23.66%
Characteristics
Compare
VSC
ZCPB
| Provider | Vanguard | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Credit 1-5Y Total Return Index - CAD | - |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 4.03% | 2.89% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 2, 2012 | May 29, 2018 |
Frequently asked questions about VSC and ZCPB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VSC or ZCPB?
As of September 2, 2026, VSC has returned 1.23% year to date, while ZCPB has returned 0.26%. VSC is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSC or ZCPB?
As of September 2, 2026, VSC manages $1.62 B in assets, while ZCPB manages $2.88 B. ZCPB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VSC and ZCPB managed?
VSC is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Credit 1-5Y Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. ZCPB is actively managed by BMO. It does not track an index.
What sectors do VSC and ZCPB emphasize?
VSC is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Telecommunications. ZCPB is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSC or ZCPB?
Year to date, VSC has seen +$340.95 M in net flows, compared with +$542.66 M for ZCPB. ZCPB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VSC and ZCPB compare?
VSC has an expense ratio of 0.11%, while ZCPB has an expense ratio of 0.56%.
What are the top holdings of VSC and ZCPB?
VSC's largest holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD, Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD, and Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD. ZCPB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD, Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSC or ZCPB?
VSC holds 450 securities, while ZCPB holds 492. On holdings count, ZCPB is the more diversified portfolio.
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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.