A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio (VCIP) 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 | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.56%✓ | +0.33% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.11% | +0.11%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.18%✓ | -0.04% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.06% | +0.11%✓ |
| Current Price | $32.60 | $26.99 |
| AUM | $985M✓ | $256M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 3.00%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2018-01-25 | 2019-01-29 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 7 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Conservative Allocation | Conservative Allocation |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.11 |
| 52-Week High | $33.05 | $27.44 |
| 52-Week Low | $30.33 | $26.03 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.70 | $27.07 |
| 200-Day MA | $32.43 | $27.22 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VCNS | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.56%✓ | +0.33% |
| 1 Year | +4.90%✓ | +1.63% |
| 3 Year | +12.12%✓ | +8.07% |
| 5 Year | +4.89%✓ | +2.19% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.14% | 4.86% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.29 | 0.76 |
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 | VAB | Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond | 47.51% |
| 2 | VBG | Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-hedged) (VBG.NE) | 16.22% |
| 3 | VBU | Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF | 15.50% |
| 4 | VUN | Vanguard US Total Market | 9.32% |
| 5 | VCN | Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap | 6.20% |
| 6 | VIU | Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF | 4.03% |
| 7 | VEE | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF | 1.76% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VCNS | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.09% | 8.53% |
| Communication Services | 5.36% | 5.45% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.17% | 7.61% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.13% | 4.09% |
| Energy | 7.63% | 7.64% |
| Financial Services | 21.01% | 22.47% |
| Healthcare | 6.56% | 6.11% |
| Industrials | 10.92% | 11.37% |
| Real Estate | 2.09% | 2.08% |
| Technology | 25.18% | 24.25% |
| Utilities | 2.22% | 2.34% |
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 VCIP
Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio seeks to provide a combination of income and some long-term capital growth by investing in equity and fixed income securities.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VCNS and VCIP 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 VCIP?
VCNS (Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio) and VCIP (Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($985M vs $256M), dividend yield (2.38% vs 3.00%), and year-to-date performance (+3.56% vs +0.33%).
Is VCNS better than VCIP?
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 VCIP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VCNS and VCIP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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