A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio (XINC) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VCNS | XINC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.62%✓ | +1.45% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.18% | -0.05%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.55% | -0.19%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -1.92% | -1.65%✓ |
| Current Price | $32.62 | $21.40 |
| AUM | $931M✓ | $126M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 3.28%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2018-01-25 | 2019-08-07 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Global Fixed Income Balanced | Global Fixed Income Balanced |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.05 |
| 52-Week High | $33.19 | $21.66 |
| 52-Week Low | $29.70 | $19.91 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.85 | $21.54 |
| 200-Day MA | $32.18 | $21.36 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VCNS | XINC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.62%✓ | +1.45% |
| 1 Year | +11.64%✓ | +7.67% |
| 3 Year | +10.39%✓ | +7.50% |
| 5 Year | +5.06%✓ | +2.92% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 5.70% | 4.31% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.11 | 0.78 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | VAB | VAB | 34.64% |
| 2 | VUN | VUN | 18.52% |
| 3 | VCN | VCN | 12.22% |
| 4 | VBG | VBG | 12.16% |
| 5 | VBU | VBU | 11.62% |
| 6 | VIU | VIU | 7.54% |
| 7 | VEE | VEE | 3.30% |
| 1 | XBB | BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 51.05% |
| 2 | XSH | XSH | 12.87% |
| 3 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 9.05% |
| 4 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 7.96% |
| 5 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 7.95% |
| 6 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 5.01% |
| 7 | XIC | XIC | 5.00% |
| 8 | XEC | Cimarex Energy Co | 1.03% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VCNS | XINC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.02% | 6.56% |
| Communication Services | 6.02% | 6.14% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.61% | 7.67% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.02% | 4.39% |
| Energy | 7.59% | 6.85% |
| Financial Services | 20.47% | 21.78% |
| Healthcare | 5.90% | 6.82% |
| Industrials | 11.31% | 12.09% |
| Real Estate | 2.11% | 2.19% |
| Technology | 24.43% | 22.76% |
| Utilities | 2.52% | 2.75% |
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 XINC
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VCNS and XINC 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 XINC?
VCNS (Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio) and XINC (iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($931M vs $126M), dividend yield (2.40% vs 3.28%), and year-to-date performance (+3.62% vs +1.45%).
Is VCNS better than XINC?
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 XINC on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VCNS and XINC should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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