A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS) and BMO Conservative ETF (ZCON) 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 | ZCON |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.56% | +4.21%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.11%✓ | -0.04% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.18%✓ | +0.08% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.06% | +0.46%✓ |
| Current Price | $32.60 | $13.12 |
| AUM | $985M✓ | $132M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.15% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38%✓ | 1.83% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2018-01-25 | 2019-02-12 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Conservative Allocation | Conservative Allocation |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.28 |
| 52-Week High | $33.05 | $13.33 |
| 52-Week Low | $30.33 | $12.26 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.70 | $13.15 |
| 200-Day MA | $32.43 | $13.02 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VCNS | ZCON |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.56% | +4.21%✓ |
| 1 Year | +4.90% | +5.14%✓ |
| 3 Year | +12.12%✓ | +11.48% |
| 5 Year | +4.89% | +5.33%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.14% | 6.03% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.29 | 1.28 |
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 | ZDB | BMO Discount Bond Index ETF | 43.58% |
| 2 | ZSP | BMO S&P 500 Index ETF | 18.08% |
| 3 | ZUAG-F | BMO US Aggregate Bond Index ETF (Hedged Units) | 18.17% |
| 4 | ZCN | BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 10.08% |
| 5 | ZEA | BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF | 6.88% |
| 6 | ZEM | BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF | 3.60% |
| 7 | ZMID | BMO S&P US Mid Cap Index ETF | 1.01% |
| 8 | ZSML | BMO S&P US Small Cap Index ETF | 0.48% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VCNS | ZCON |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.09% | 6.63% |
| Communication Services | 5.36% | 6.43% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.17% | 7.36% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.13% | 4.24% |
| Energy | 7.63% | 6.43% |
| Financial Services | 21.01% | 19.52% |
| Healthcare | 6.56% | 6.39% |
| Industrials | 10.92% | 10.06% |
| Real Estate | 2.09% | 1.78% |
| Technology | 25.18% | 26.57% |
| Utilities | 2.22% | 2.26% |
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 ZCON
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VCNS and ZCON 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 ZCON?
VCNS (Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio) and ZCON (BMO Conservative ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($985M vs $132M), dividend yield (2.38% vs 1.83%), and year-to-date performance (+3.56% vs +4.21%).
Is VCNS better than ZCON?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VCNS and ZCON on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VCNS and ZCON should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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