VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCE.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF) and SHLD.TO (Global X Defence Tech Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCE.TO is a Canada Equities fund tracking the FTSE Canada Domestic Index, while SHLD.TO is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Global X Defense Tech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VCE.TO returned 28.98% vs 11.07% for SHLD.TO. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCE.TO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SHLD.TO.

Performance

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF (VCE.TO) and Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCE.TO achieves a 10.03% return, which is significantly higher than SHLD.TO's -1.13% return.

VCE.TO

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 6M: 10.19%
• 1Y: 28.98%
• 3Y*: 22.22%
• 5Y*: 14.43%
• 10Y*: 12.58%

SHLD.TO

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -5.03%
• YTD: -1.13%
• 6M: 1.30%
• 1Y: 11.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VCE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF	10.03%	24.22%
SHLD.TO Global X Defence Tech Index ETF	-1.13%	28.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VCE.TO and SHLD.TO is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2025	0.45

Return for Risk

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VCE.TO

VCE.TO Risk / Return Rank: 72
VCE.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VCE.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VCE.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VCE.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VCE.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SHLD.TO

SHLD.TO Risk / Return Rank: 15
SHLD.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SHLD.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
SHLD.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 15
SHLD.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SHLD.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF (VCE.TO) and Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VCE.TO	SHLD.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	0.46	+1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	0.81	+2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.10	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	0.48	+3.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.77	1.22	+15.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCE.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the SHLD.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCE.TO and SHLD.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCE.TO	SHLD.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	0.46	+1.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.14	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.98	-0.21

Drawdowns

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCE.TO drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, which is greater than SHLD.TO's maximum drawdown of -23.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCE.TO and SHLD.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCE.TO	SHLD.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.92%	-23.13%	-12.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.09%	-23.13%	+15.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.16%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-21.04%	+20.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.73%	-6.23%	+2.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	9.06%	-7.33%

Volatility

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF (VCE.TO) is 3.47%, while Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO) has a volatility of 7.54%. This indicates that VCE.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SHLD.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCE.TO	SHLD.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	7.54%	-4.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	19.64%	-9.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	24.23%	-11.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.78%	24.71%	-11.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.99%	24.71%	-9.72%

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCE.TO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than SHLD.TO's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCE.TO vs. SHLD.TO - Dividend Comparison

VCE.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, more than SHLD.TO's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHLD.TO Global X Defence Tech Index ETF	0.18%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canada Index ETF	2.17%	2.42%	2.84%	3.16%	3.21%	2.61%	2.93%	3.01%	3.21%	2.57%	2.64%	2.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCE.TO and SHLD.TO in my portfolio?

VCE.TO and SHLD.TO have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VCE.TO or SHLD.TO?

On fees, VCE.TO is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCE.TO or SHLD.TO?

VCE.TO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SHLD.TO.

What is the main difference between VCE.TO and SHLD.TO?

VCE.TO is categorized as Canada Equities, while SHLD.TO is Aerospace & Defense. VCE.TO tracks FTSE Canada Domestic Index, while SHLD.TO tracks Global X Defense Tech Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VCE.TO and 0.50% for SHLD.TO.