VS
iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF (XCNS) and Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) 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 VCNS leans towards Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, XCNS features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.22% for VCNS. Performance-wise, XCNS has returned 5.99% year-to-date with +$101 M in net flows, whereas VCNS is at 5.5% with +$193 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
VCNS
| AuM | $431.06 M | $961.42 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.25% |
| 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% |
VCNS | -1.19% | -0.04% | +5.50% | +9.97% | +36.16% | |
| Flows | XCNS | +$10 M | +$34 M | +$101 M | +$149 M | +$270 M |
VCNS | +$17 M | +$73 M | +$193 M | +$305 M | +$356 M |
XCNS vs VCNS exposure
Countries
XCNS
Canada
54.21%
USA
30.16%
Other
15.62%
VCNS
Canada
46.44%
USA
28.26%
Other
25.30%
Sectors
XCNS
Finance
23.83%
Sovereign
18.32%
Technology
10.86%
Municipal
10.56%
Other
36.42%
VCNS
Sovereign
25.41%
Finance
18.86%
Municipal
11.13%
Technology
10.75%
Other
33.85%
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%
VCNS
NVIDIA Corp.
1.17%
Apple, Inc.
1.15%
Royal Bank of Canada
1.04%
Microsoft Corp.
0.87%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
0.71%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.67%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
0.64%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
0.57%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
0.55%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
0.54%
Diversification
XCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,952 total
7.60%
VCNS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 33,981 total
7.91%
Characteristics
Compare
XCNS
VCNS
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| 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% | 2.49% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | August 7, 2019 | February 1, 2018 |
Frequently asked questions about XCNS and VCNS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XCNS or VCNS?
As of September 1, 2026, XCNS has returned 5.99% year to date, while VCNS has returned 5.50%. XCNS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XCNS or VCNS?
As of September 1, 2026, XCNS manages $431.06 M in assets, while VCNS manages $961.42 M. VCNS is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XCNS and VCNS managed?
XCNS is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. VCNS is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XCNS and VCNS emphasize?
XCNS is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. VCNS is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XCNS or VCNS?
Year to date, XCNS has seen +$101.45 M in net flows, compared with +$192.84 M for VCNS. VCNS has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XCNS and VCNS compare?
XCNS has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while VCNS has an expense ratio of 0.25%.
What are the top holdings of XCNS and VCNS?
XCNS's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. VCNS's top holdings include NVIDIA Corp. and Apple, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XCNS or VCNS?
XCNS holds 21780 securities, while VCNS holds 28148. On holdings count, VCNS is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XCNS and VCNS
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