A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7 Handl Index ETF (HNDL) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VCNS | HNDL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.56%✓ | +0.01% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.11% | +0.59%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.18% | +1.02%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.06% | +2.90%✓ |
| Current Price | $32.60 | $22.17 |
| AUM | $985M✓ | $636M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.98% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 7.18%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | — |
| Inception Date | 2018-01-25 | 2018-01-16 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 19 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Conservative Allocation | Conservative Allocation |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.02 |
| 52-Week High | $33.05 | $22.59 |
| 52-Week Low | $30.33 | $20.37 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.70 | $22.08 |
| 200-Day MA | $32.43 | $22.41 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VCNS | HNDL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.56%✓ | +0.01% |
| 1 Year | +4.90% | +4.92%✓ |
| 3 Year | +12.12% | +14.26%✓ |
| 5 Year | +4.89%✓ | +3.92% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.14% | 8.26% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.29 | 0.71 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | VAB | Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond | 33.11% |
| 2 | VUN | Vanguard US Total Market | 19.20% |
| 3 | VCN | Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap | 12.23% |
| 4 | VBG | Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-hedged) (VBG.NE) | 11.51% |
| 5 | VBU | Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF | 11.95% |
| 6 | VIU | Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF | 7.60% |
| 7 | VEE | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF | 3.22% |
| 1 | BND | Vanguard Bond Index Funds - Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 8.90% |
| 2 | SCHZ | Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 8.55% |
| 3 | AGG | iShares Trust - iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 8.55% |
| 4 | MLPX | Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 5.85% |
| 5 | NTSX | WisdomTree 90/60 US Balanced | 5.07% |
| 6 | QQQM | Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 5.16% |
| 7 | VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares | 5.00% |
| 8 | JEPI | JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF | 4.40% |
| 9 | SCHH | Schwab U.S. REIT ETF | 3.86% |
| 10 | XLU | The Select Sector SPDR Trust - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.55% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VCNS | HNDL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.09% | 1.06% |
| Communication Services | 5.36% | 5.03% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.17% | 5.40% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.13% | 4.27% |
| Energy | 7.63% | 17.67% |
| Financial Services | 21.01% | 7.03% |
| Healthcare | 6.56% | 6.88% |
| Industrials | 10.92% | 5.22% |
| Real Estate | 2.09% | 10.85% |
| Technology | 25.18% | 24.69% |
| Utilities | 2.22% | 11.86% |
About VCNS
Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio seeks to provide a combination of income and moderate long-term capital growth by investing in equity and fixed income securities.
About HNDL
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in securities of the NASDAQ 7 HANDL" Index (the index). The index consists of securities issued by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and is split into two components, with a 50% allocation to fixed income and equity ETFs (the Core Portfolio) and a 50% allocation to ETFs of 12 asset categories (the Explore Portfolio).
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VCNS and HNDL are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, VCNS scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VCNS and HNDL?
VCNS (Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio) and HNDL (Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7 Handl Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($985M vs $636M), dividend yield (2.38% vs 7.18%), and year-to-date performance (+3.56% vs +0.01%).
Is VCNS better than HNDL?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VCNS has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VCNS and HNDL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VCNS and HNDL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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