A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio (VRIF) and Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio (VCIP) 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 | VRIF | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +2.19%✓ | +1.34% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.11%✓ | -0.15% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.41% | -0.33%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -1.60% | -1.77%✓ |
| Current Price | $27.02 | $27.26 |
| AUM | $365M✓ | $254M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.70%✓ | 2.85% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2020-09-09 | 2019-01-29 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 7 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Category | Global Fixed Income Balanced | Global Fixed Income Balanced |
| Beta | 1.10 | 1.10 |
| 52-Week High | $27.44 | $27.63 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.53 | $25.57 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.18 | $27.47 |
| 200-Day MA | $26.77 | $27.27 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VRIF | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +2.19%✓ | +1.34% |
| 1 Year | +10.23%✓ | +7.22% |
| 3 Year | +9.22%✓ | +6.77% |
| 5 Year | +4.27%✓ | +2.27% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.96% | 4.57% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.08 | 0.62 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | VCB | Vanguard Canadian Corporate Bond ETF | 34.46% |
| 2 | VAB | VAB | 24.24% |
| 3 | VIU | VIU | 11.26% |
| 4 | VCN | VCN | 8.97% |
| 5 | VUN | VUN | 7.99% |
| 6 | VBG | VBG | 6.20% |
| 7 | VBU | VBU | 4.08% |
| 8 | VEE | VEE | 2.81% |
| 1 | VAB | VAB | 46.39% |
| 2 | VBG | VBG | 16.31% |
| 3 | VBU | VBU | 15.49% |
| 4 | VUN | VUN | 9.52% |
| 5 | VCN | VCN | 6.37% |
| 6 | VIU | VIU | 4.04% |
| 7 | VEE | VEE | 1.87% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VRIF | VCIP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.83% | 8.05% |
| Communication Services | 4.95% | 5.99% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.32% | 7.61% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.30% | 4.03% |
| Energy | 7.52% | 7.57% |
| Financial Services | 22.22% | 20.52% |
| Healthcare | 5.84% | 5.88% |
| Industrials | 13.09% | 11.34% |
| Real Estate | 2.18% | 2.11% |
| Technology | 21.03% | 24.38% |
| Utilities | 2.71% | 2.53% |
About VRIF
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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 VRIF 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, VRIF 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 VRIF and VCIP?
VRIF (Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio) and VCIP (Vanguard Conservative Income ETF Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($365M vs $254M), dividend yield (3.70% vs 2.85%), and year-to-date performance (+2.19% vs +1.34%).
Is VRIF better than VCIP?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VRIF has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VRIF and VCIP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VRIF and VCIP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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