PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCN.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF) and ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) are both Canada Equities funds. VCN.TO is passively managed, while ZLB.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCN.TO returned 12.42%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for ZLB.TO. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCN.TO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for ZLB.TO.

Performance

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF (VCN.TO) and BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCN.TO achieves a 10.48% return, which is significantly higher than ZLB.TO's 3.14% return. Over the past 10 years, VCN.TO has outperformed ZLB.TO with an annualized return of 12.42%, while ZLB.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 10.67% annualized return.

VCN.TO

1D
-1.03%
1M
3.61%
YTD
10.48%
6M
12.01%
1Y
33.06%
3Y*
23.42%
5Y*
14.85%
10Y*
12.42%

ZLB.TO

1D
0.03%
1M
1.40%
YTD
3.14%
6M
4.82%
1Y
14.81%
3Y*
15.17%
5Y*
11.61%
10Y*
10.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VCN.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF		10.48%30.20%22.14%12.26%-5.78%25.63%4.81%22.06%-9.11%8.44%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		3.14%25.29%15.31%9.41%-0.35%22.93%1.51%21.92%-2.76%11.07%

Correlation

The correlation between VCN.TO and ZLB.TO is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.63

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.73

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.74

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.73

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 14, 2013

0.66

The correlation between VCN.TO and ZLB.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VCN.TO
ZLB.TO

Financial Services

33.7%
23.7%

Energy

18.5%

-

Basic Materials

17.6%
6.6%

Industrials

10.5%
9.8%

Technology

7.5%
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

3.7%
8.6%

Consumer Defensive

2.8%
18.2%

Utilities

2.7%
17.6%

Real Estate

1.5%
4.3%

Communication Services

1.4%
9.2%

Healthcare

0.1%

-

Financial Services

VCN.TO
33.7%
ZLB.TO
23.7%

Energy

VCN.TO
18.5%
ZLB.TO

-

Basic Materials

VCN.TO
17.6%
ZLB.TO
6.6%

Industrials

VCN.TO
10.5%
ZLB.TO
9.8%

Technology

VCN.TO
7.5%
ZLB.TO
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VCN.TO
3.7%
ZLB.TO
8.6%

Consumer Defensive

VCN.TO
2.8%
ZLB.TO
18.2%

Utilities

VCN.TO
2.7%
ZLB.TO
17.6%

Real Estate

VCN.TO
1.5%
ZLB.TO
4.3%

Communication Services

VCN.TO
1.4%
ZLB.TO
9.2%

Healthcare

VCN.TO
0.1%
ZLB.TO

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF

BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF

Often compared with VCN.TO:
VCN.TO vs. VDY.TOVCN.TO vs. VFV.TOVCN.TO vs. VCE.TOVCN.TO vs. XEQT.TOVCN.TO vs. VIU.TOVCN.TO vs. VUN.TOVCN.TO vs. HXT.TO
Often compared with ZLB.TO:
ZLB.TO vs. VDY.TOZLB.TO vs. XIU.TOZLB.TO vs. XDIV.TOZLB.TO vs. XMW.TOZLB.TO vs. XBAL.TOZLB.TO vs. XUT.TOZLB.TO vs. XUU-U.TO

Return for Risk

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VCN.TO
VCN.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
VCN.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCN.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCN.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
VCN.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCN.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8282
Martin Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO
ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF (VCN.TO) and BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.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.

VCN.TOZLB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.64
1.80

+0.84

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.43
2.69

+0.75

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.32

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.65

2.77

+0.87

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.03

10.29

+6.75

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCN.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is higher than the ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCN.TO and ZLB.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.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VCN.TOZLB.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.64

1.80

+0.84

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.15

1.24

-0.09

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.83

0.88

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.77

1.14

-0.37

Drawdowns

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCN.TO drawdown since its inception was -37.32%, which is greater than ZLB.TO's maximum drawdown of -33.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCN.TO and ZLB.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VCN.TOZLB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-37.32%

-33.96%

-3.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.11%

-5.36%

-3.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.24%

-8.01%

-4.23%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.12%

-13.00%

-3.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-37.32%

-33.96%

-3.36%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.03%

-1.70%

+0.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.90%

-2.46%

-1.44%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.95%

1.45%

+0.50%

Volatility

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF (VCN.TO) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) at 2.47%. This indicates that VCN.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZLB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VCN.TOZLB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.41%

2.47%

+0.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.27%

6.38%

+3.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.57%

8.29%

+4.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.03%

9.44%

+3.59%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.98%

12.15%

+2.83%

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCN.TO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than ZLB.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCN.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Dividend Comparison

VCN.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, more than ZLB.TO's 1.88% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VCN.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF		2.00%2.27%2.69%2.99%3.15%2.48%2.70%2.85%2.80%2.29%2.34%2.65%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		1.88%1.93%2.37%2.67%2.66%2.39%2.83%2.44%2.76%2.52%2.94%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

VCN.TO and ZLB.TO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

VCN.TO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ZLB.TO.

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VCN.TO and 0.39% for ZLB.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VCN.TO and ZLB.TO

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer