A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and BlackRock Total Return ETF (BRTR) 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 | VPLS | BRTR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.44%✓ | -3.73% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.26% | -0.25%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.83% | -0.82%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -2.70% | -2.87%✓ |
| Current Price | $73.82 | $47.72 |
| AUM | $1.97B✓ | $777M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.2%✓ | 0.38% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.58% | 4.61%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2023-12-07 | 2023-12-12 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 3 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $76.98 | $50.16 |
| 52-Week Low | $73.44 | $47.53 |
| 50-Day MA | $75.88 | $49.12 |
| 200-Day MA | $77.32 | $50.15 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VPLS | BRTR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.44%✓ | -3.73% |
| 1 Year | -0.42%✓ | -0.78% |
| 3 Year | — | — |
| 5 Year | — | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 3.30% | 3.66% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | US16411QAN16 | CQP 3.25 31-JAN-32 | 0.28% |
| 1 | BINC | iShares Flexible Income Active ETF | 2.11% |
| 2 | LQD | iShares Trust - iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 1.15% |
| 3 | SECU | Blackrock Etf Trust II - Securitized Income Active Etf | 0.95% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VPLS | BRTR |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 77.68% | 1.43% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 17.53% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 6.44% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 24.61% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 22.42% |
| Healthcare | 22.32% | 0.56% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 3.57% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 2.26% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 18.50% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 2.68% |
About VPLS
The Target Index includes U.S. government and agencyobligations, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backedsecurities, and emerging market bonds, all denominated in the U.S. dollar andwith maturities of at least one year. Under normal circumstances, the fundinvests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings forinvestment purposes, in the bonds that make up the Target Index.
About BRTR
The fund typically invests more than 90% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities such as corporate bonds and notes, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, preferred securities and government obligations. Both U.S. and foreign companies and governments may issue these securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests primarily in fixed-income securities. It may invest in fixed-income securities of any duration or maturity.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VPLS and BRTR 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, VPLS 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 VPLS and BRTR?
VPLS (Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF) and BRTR (BlackRock Total Return ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.97B vs $777M), dividend yield (4.58% vs 4.61%), and year-to-date performance (-3.44% vs -3.73%).
Is VPLS better than BRTR?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VPLS has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VPLS and BRTR on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VPLS and BRTR should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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