VCNS.TO vs. ZLB.TO

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

VCNS.TO (Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio) and ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCNS.TO is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while ZLB.TO is a Canada Equities fund actively managed by BMO. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCNS.TO returned 4.47%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for ZLB.TO. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCNS.TO charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for ZLB.TO.

Performance

VCNS.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCNS.TO achieves a 5.32% return, which is significantly lower than ZLB.TO's 8.71% return.

VCNS.TO

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.84%
• 6M: 3.21%
• YTD: 5.32%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 9.22%
• 5Y*: 4.47%
• 10Y*: —

ZLB.TO

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 2.45%
• 6M: 7.67%
• YTD: 8.71%
• 1Y: 14.18%
• 3Y*: 15.65%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: 10.57%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VCNS.TO Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio	5.32%	8.14%	9.75%	10.32%	-11.71%	5.79%	9.45%	12.04%	-1.72%
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	8.71%	20.40%	15.31%	9.41%	-0.35%	22.93%	1.51%	21.92%	-1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2018	0.64

The correlation between VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

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

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

VCNS.TO

VCNS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 57
VCNS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VCNS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VCNS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VCNS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VCNS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

ZLB.TO

ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 57
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 59
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS.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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VCNS.TO	ZLB.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.53	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	2.09	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.29	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.51	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.07	7.33	+0.74

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

The current VCNS.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCNS.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.

Drawdowns

VCNS.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCNS.TO drawdown since its inception was -18.04%, smaller than the maximum ZLB.TO drawdown of -33.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCNS.TO	ZLB.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.04%	-33.96%	+15.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.86%	-5.67%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.43%	-8.01%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.72%	-13.00%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	-0.19%	-1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.02%	-2.47%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	1.94%	-0.69%

Volatility

VCNS.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio (VCNS.TO) is 1.56%, while BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) has a volatility of 2.14%. This indicates that VCNS.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZLB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCNS.TO	ZLB.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.56%	2.14%	-0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.48%	6.66%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.54%	9.29%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.89%	9.65%	-2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.07%	12.22%	-4.15%

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

VCNS.TO has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than ZLB.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCNS.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Dividend Comparison

VCNS.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than ZLB.TO's 1.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCNS.TO Vanguard Conservative ETF Portfolio	2.51%	2.56%	2.59%	2.57%	2.28%	2.09%	1.88%	2.28%	1.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	1.81%	1.99%	2.37%	2.67%	2.66%	2.39%	2.83%	2.44%	2.76%	2.55%	2.94%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO in my portfolio?

VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VCNS.TO or ZLB.TO?

On fees, VCNS.TO is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCNS.TO or ZLB.TO?

VCNS.TO is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ZLB.TO.

What is the main difference between VCNS.TO and ZLB.TO?

VCNS.TO is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while ZLB.TO is Canada Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VCNS.TO and 0.39% for ZLB.TO.