VS
iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF (XCNS) and iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (GCNS) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XCNS focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Sovereign, and Technology, while GCNS leans towards Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. When evaluating costs, XCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.22% for GCNS. Performance-wise, XCNS has returned 5.99% year-to-date with +$101 M in net flows, whereas GCNS is at 6.67% with +$26 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
XCNS
GCNS
| AuM | $431.06 M | $88.20 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.23% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 1, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XCNS | -1.06% | +0.38% | +5.99% | +10.51% | +36.48% |
GCNS | -1.22% | +0.24% | +6.67% | +10.96% | +40.60% | |
| Flows | XCNS | +$10 M | +$34 M | +$101 M | +$149 M | +$270 M |
GCNS | +$3 M | +$12 M | +$26 M | +$37 M | +$62 M |
XCNS vs GCNS exposure
Countries
XCNS
Canada
54.21%
USA
30.16%
Other
15.62%
GCNS
Canada
63.58%
USA
24.09%
Other
12.33%
Sectors
XCNS
Finance
23.83%
Sovereign
18.32%
Technology
10.86%
Municipal
10.56%
Other
36.42%
GCNS
Finance
33.44%
Sovereign
16.79%
Technology
12.65%
Municipal
12.53%
Other
24.59%
As of September 1, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XCNS
Apple, Inc.
1.27%
NVIDIA Corp.
1.22%
Royal Bank of Canada
0.87%
Microsoft Corp.
0.87%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.60%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
0.59%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
0.56%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
0.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
0.55%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
0.52%
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%
Diversification
XCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,952 total
7.60%
GCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,382 total
11.45%
Characteristics
Compare
XCNS
GCNS
| Provider | iShares | 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 | 2.60% | 2.10% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | Yes |
| Inception Date | August 7, 2019 | September 14, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about XCNS and GCNS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XCNS or GCNS?
As of September 1, 2026, XCNS has returned 5.99% year to date, while GCNS has returned 6.67%. GCNS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XCNS or GCNS?
As of September 1, 2026, XCNS manages $431.06 M in assets, while GCNS manages $88.20 M. XCNS is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XCNS and GCNS managed?
XCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. GCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XCNS and GCNS emphasize?
XCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. GCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XCNS or GCNS?
Year to date, XCNS has seen +$101.45 M in net flows, compared with +$26.21 M for GCNS. XCNS has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XCNS and GCNS compare?
XCNS has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while GCNS has an expense ratio of 0.23%.
What are the top holdings of XCNS and GCNS?
XCNS's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. GCNS's top holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Which ETF is more diversified: XCNS or GCNS?
XCNS holds 21780 securities, while GCNS holds 1375. On holdings count, XCNS is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XCNS and GCNS
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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.