A side-by-side comparison of BMO Conservative ETF (ZCON) and Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio (VRIF) 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 | ZCON | VRIF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +4.21%✓ | +1.17% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.04% | +0.07%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.08%✓ | +0.07% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.46%✓ | -0.15% |
| Current Price | $13.12 | $26.75 |
| AUM | $132M | $372M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.15% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.83% | 4.00%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2019-02-12 | 2020-09-09 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Conservative Allocation | Conservative Allocation |
| Beta | 1.28 | 1.11 |
| 52-Week High | $13.33 | $27.18 |
| 52-Week Low | $12.26 | $25.30 |
| 50-Day MA | $13.15 | $26.87 |
| 200-Day MA | $13.02 | $26.92 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZCON | VRIF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +4.21%✓ | +1.17% |
| 1 Year | +5.14%✓ | +3.88% |
| 3 Year | +11.48%✓ | +10.39% |
| 5 Year | +5.33%✓ | +4.15% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.03% | 5.19% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.28 | 1.26 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 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% |
| 1 | VCB | Vanguard Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF | 35.50% |
| 2 | VAB | Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond | 24.44% |
| 3 | VIU | Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF | 13.49% |
| 4 | VCN | Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap | 8.81% |
| 5 | VUN | Vanguard US Total Market | 7.64% |
| 6 | VBG | Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-hedged) (VBG.NE) | 6.09% |
| 7 | VBU | Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF | 4.23% |
| 8 | VEE | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF | 0.09% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZCON | VRIF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.63% | 8.52% |
| Communication Services | 6.43% | 4.18% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.36% | 7.07% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.24% | 4.39% |
| Energy | 6.43% | 7.64% |
| Financial Services | 19.52% | 23.52% |
| Healthcare | 6.39% | 6.28% |
| Industrials | 10.06% | 13.53% |
| Real Estate | 1.78% | 2.17% |
| Technology | 26.57% | 18.60% |
| Utilities | 2.26% | 2.55% |
About ZCON
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About VRIF
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZCON and VRIF 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 ZCON and VRIF?
ZCON (BMO Conservative ETF) and VRIF (Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($132M vs $372M), dividend yield (1.83% vs 4.00%), and year-to-date performance (+4.21% vs +1.17%).
Is ZCON better than VRIF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZCON has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZCON and VRIF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZCON and VRIF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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