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XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XCNS.TO (iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio) and VDY.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XCNS.TO is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by iShares, while VDY.TO is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. XCNS.TO is actively managed, while VDY.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XCNS.TO returned 5.71%/yr vs 17.21%/yr for VDY.TO. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XCNS.TO charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VDY.TO.

Performance

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (XCNS.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XCNS.TO achieves a 5.57% return, which is significantly lower than VDY.TO's 20.59% return.

XCNS.TO

1D
-0.26%
1M
3.19%
YTD
5.57%
6M
4.19%
1Y
12.72%
3Y*
10.96%
5Y*
5.71%
10Y*
—

VDY.TO

1D
-0.07%
1M
4.52%
YTD
20.59%
6M
22.32%
1Y
46.18%
3Y*
26.00%
5Y*
17.21%
10Y*
14.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XCNS.TO
iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio		5.57%9.44%11.73%10.66%-11.25%5.93%10.28%3.45%
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF		20.59%29.20%20.71%8.40%-0.23%36.78%-1.37%10.33%

Correlation

The correlation between XCNS.TO and VDY.TO is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.46

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

0.54

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

0.48

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 26, 2019

0.48

The correlation between XCNS.TO and VDY.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XCNS.TO
VDY.TO

Technology

12.2%
0.4%

Financial Services

9.4%
56.0%

Industrials

3.6%
0.2%

Communication Services

3.1%
2.8%

Energy

3.1%
30.8%

Consumer Cyclical

3.1%
3.0%

Basic Materials

2.7%
2.2%

Healthcare

2.4%
0.1%

Consumer Defensive

1.7%
0.4%

Utilities

0.7%
4.1%

Real Estate

0.2%

-

Technology

XCNS.TO
12.2%
VDY.TO
0.4%

Financial Services

XCNS.TO
9.4%
VDY.TO
56.0%

Industrials

XCNS.TO
3.6%
VDY.TO
0.2%

Communication Services

XCNS.TO
3.1%
VDY.TO
2.8%

Energy

XCNS.TO
3.1%
VDY.TO
30.8%

Consumer Cyclical

XCNS.TO
3.1%
VDY.TO
3.0%

Basic Materials

XCNS.TO
2.7%
VDY.TO
2.2%

Healthcare

XCNS.TO
2.4%
VDY.TO
0.1%

Consumer Defensive

XCNS.TO
1.7%
VDY.TO
0.4%

Utilities

XCNS.TO
0.7%
VDY.TO
4.1%

Real Estate

XCNS.TO
0.2%
VDY.TO

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio

Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF

Often compared with XCNS.TO:
XCNS.TO vs. XBAL.TOXCNS.TO vs. XINC.TOXCNS.TO vs. VCNS.TOXCNS.TO vs. XEQT.TOXCNS.TO vs. GCNS.TOXCNS.TO vs. XGRO.TOXCNS.TO vs. XTR.TO
Often compared with VDY.TO:
VDY.TO vs. XEI.TOVDY.TO vs. XDIV.TOVDY.TO vs. VCN.TOVDY.TO vs. SCHDVDY.TO vs. XIC.TOVDY.TO vs. VCE.TOVDY.TO vs. ZDV.TO

Return for Risk

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XCNS.TO
XCNS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
XCNS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XCNS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
XCNS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
XCNS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
XCNS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
VDY.TO
VDY.TO Risk / Return Rank: 9898
Overall Rank
VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 9898
Omega Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
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.

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (XCNS.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.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.

XCNS.TOVDY.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.92
5.65

-3.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.75
8.14

-5.39

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

2.14

-0.77

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.63

14.88

-12.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.25

60.75

-50.50

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

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCNS.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is lower than the VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio of 5.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCNS.TO and VDY.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XCNS.TOVDY.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.92

5.65

-3.74

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.84

1.50

-0.66

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.88

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.86

0.84

+0.01

Drawdowns

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCNS.TO drawdown since its inception was -16.96%, smaller than the maximum VDY.TO drawdown of -39.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCNS.TO and VDY.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XCNS.TOVDY.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-16.96%

-39.21%

+22.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.86%

-3.12%

-1.74%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-6.40%

-10.87%

+4.47%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.09%

-16.18%

+0.09%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-39.21%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.79%

-0.77%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.49%

-4.61%

+1.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.24%

0.76%

+0.48%

Volatility

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio (XCNS.TO) is 3.14%, while Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) has a volatility of 3.31%. This indicates that XCNS.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDY.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XCNS.TOVDY.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.14%

3.31%

-0.17%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.72%

6.87%

-1.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

6.67%

8.21%

-1.54%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.86%

11.56%

-4.70%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

7.61%

15.96%

-8.35%

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCNS.TO has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VDY.TO's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XCNS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Dividend Comparison

XCNS.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than VDY.TO's 2.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF		2.90%3.59%4.40%4.64%4.42%3.58%4.59%4.25%4.43%3.82%3.25%4.11%
XCNS.TO
iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio		2.50%2.55%2.58%2.49%2.26%1.81%2.15%0.92%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

XCNS.TO and VDY.TO have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XCNS.TO is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XCNS.TO is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VDY.TO.

XCNS.TO is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while VDY.TO is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XCNS.TO and 0.22% for VDY.TO.

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