A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio (XCNS) and Vanguard Balanced Portfolio (VBAL) 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 | XCNS | VBAL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.85% | +6.04%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.04%✓ | -0.20% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.53%✓ | -0.89% |
| 1-Month Change | -1.79% | -2.05%✓ |
| Current Price | $26.27 | $39.18 |
| AUM | $415M | $5.63B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58%✓ | 2.03% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2019-08-07 | 2018-01-25 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 7 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Neutral Balanced | Global Neutral Balanced |
| Beta | 0.95 | 1.16 |
| 52-Week High | $26.69 | $40.03 |
| 52-Week Low | $23.67 | $34.04 |
| 50-Day MA | $26.42 | $39.41 |
| 200-Day MA | $25.82 | $37.97 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XCNS | VBAL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.85% | +6.04%✓ |
| 1 Year | +12.05% | +16.21%✓ |
| 3 Year | +10.97% | +13.99%✓ |
| 5 Year | +5.59% | +7.84%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 5.53% | 6.92% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.22 | 1.41 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | XBB | BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 36.65% |
| 2 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 18.96% |
| 3 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 10.75% |
| 4 | XIC | XIC | 10.45% |
| 5 | XSH | XSH | 9.16% |
| 6 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 6.18% |
| 7 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 5.63% |
| 8 | XEC | Cimarex Energy Co | 1.97% |
| 1 | VUN | VUN | 27.64% |
| 2 | VAB | VAB | 22.90% |
| 3 | VCN | VCN | 18.01% |
| 4 | VIU | VIU | 11.18% |
| 5 | VBG | VBG | 7.91% |
| 6 | VBU | VBU | 7.67% |
| 7 | VEE | VEE | 4.69% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XCNS | VBAL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.59% | 7.98% |
| Communication Services | 10.98% | 6.04% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 10.10% | 7.61% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.21% | 4.03% |
| Energy | 2.31% | 7.57% |
| Financial Services | 8.05% | 20.42% |
| Healthcare | 7.49% | 5.92% |
| Industrials | 7.44% | 11.32% |
| Real Estate | 1.52% | 2.11% |
| Technology | 43.51% | 24.48% |
| Utilities | 1.80% | 2.52% |
About XCNS
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About VBAL
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XCNS and VBAL 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, VBAL 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 XCNS and VBAL?
XCNS (iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio) and VBAL (Vanguard Balanced Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($415M vs $5.63B), dividend yield (2.58% vs 2.03%), and year-to-date performance (+3.85% vs +6.04%).
Is XCNS better than VBAL?
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 XCNS and VBAL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XCNS and VBAL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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