A side-by-side comparison of Manulife Smart Defensive Equity ETF (CDEF) and Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap (VCN) 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 | CDEF | VCN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +9.05% | +11.68%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -3.25% | +0.37%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -2.61% | +0.56%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -1.88% | -2.63%✓ |
| Current Price | $14.58 | $72.44 |
| AUM | $4M | $17.64B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.39%✓ | 1.96% |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2021-11-08 | 2013-08-02 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Equity | Canadian Equity |
| Beta | 0.66 | 0.99 |
| 52-Week High | $15.13 | $75.11 |
| 52-Week Low | $12.44 | $59.02 |
| 50-Day MA | $14.93 | $73.30 |
| 200-Day MA | $14.33 | $69.64 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CDEF | VCN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +9.05% | +11.68%✓ |
| 1 Year | +15.79% | +19.82%✓ |
| 3 Year | +20.07% | +26.00%✓ |
| 5 Year | — | +15.33% |
| 10 Year | — | +12.29% |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.87% | 10.46% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.88 | 1.87 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 2.76% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 2.69% |
| 3 | GWO | Great-West Lifeco Inc. | 2.69% |
| 4 | SLF | Sun Life Financial Inc. | 2.62% |
| 5 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 2.61% |
| 6 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 2.60% |
| 7 | IFC | Intact Financial Corporation | 2.58% |
| 8 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 2.56% |
| 9 | CP | Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd | 2.54% |
| 10 | IMO | Imperial Oil Ltd | 2.53% |
| 1 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 7.79% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 5.51% |
| 3 | SHOP | Shopify Inc | 4.92% |
| 4 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 3.28% |
| 5 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 3.07% |
| 6 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.01% |
| 7 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 2.84% |
| 8 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 2.81% |
| 9 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.79% |
| 10 | BN | Brookfield Corporation | 2.35% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | CDEF | VCN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 10.69% | 18.90% |
| Communication Services | 5.88% | 1.23% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 4.92% | 3.43% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.37% | 2.54% |
| Energy | 15.02% | 17.18% |
| Financial Services | 29.16% | 34.77% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.09% |
| Industrials | 13.75% | 9.98% |
| Real Estate | 2.38% | 1.36% |
| Technology | 3.00% | 8.21% |
| Utilities | 7.84% | 2.31% |
About CDEF
NA
About VCN
Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF seeks to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of a broad Canadian equity index that measures the investment return of large-, mid- and small-capitalization, publicly traded securities in the Canadian market. Currently, this Vanguard ETF seeks to track the FTSE Canada All Cap Domestic Index (or any successor thereto). It invests primarily in large-, mid- and small-capitalization Canadian stocks.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both CDEF and VCN 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, VCN 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 CDEF and VCN?
CDEF (Manulife Smart Defensive Equity ETF) and VCN (Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4M vs $17.64B), dividend yield (2.39% vs 1.96%), and year-to-date performance (+9.05% vs +11.68%).
Is CDEF better than VCN?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy CDEF and VCN on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CDEF and VCN should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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