A side-by-side comparison of Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units (HCLN) and BMO Clean Energy Index ETF (ZCLN) 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 | HCLN | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -11.33% | +1.93%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.21%✓ | -0.91% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.11%✓ | -0.11% |
| 1-Month Change | -1.90% | -0.16%✓ |
| Current Price | $9.31 | $18.46 |
| AUM | $19M | $74M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.62% |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Annually |
| Inception Date | 2021-01-11 | 2021-01-26 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★ | ★ |
| Category | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.07 |
| 52-Week High | $12.90 | $25.30 |
| 52-Week Low | $9.14 | $17.10 |
| 50-Day MA | $9.74 | $19.11 |
| 200-Day MA | $10.66 | $20.11 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | HCLN | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -11.33% | +1.93%✓ |
| 1 Year | -3.53% | +15.18%✓ |
| 3 Year | -1.05% | +7.06%✓ |
| 5 Year | -9.26% | -1.68%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 28.87% | 33.32% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.12 | 0.18 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | VWS | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 3.26% |
| 2 | CADLR | Cadeler As | 2.98% |
| 3 | 3800 | GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd | 2.96% |
| 4 | LAND | Landis+Gyr Group AG | 2.81% |
| 5 | RNW | Renew Energy Global PLC | 2.76% |
| 6 | 0968 | Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd | 2.72% |
| 7 | SCATC | Scatec Solar OL | 2.69% |
| 8 | S92 | SMA Solar Technology AG | 2.67% |
| 9 | VER | VERBUND AG | 2.65% |
| 10 | MCY | Mercury NZ Limited | 2.65% |
| 1 | FSLR | First Solar Inc | 7.91% |
| 2 | 600900 | China Yangtze Power Co Ltd | 7.79% |
| 3 | BE | Bloom Energy Corp | 7.12% |
| 4 | NXT | Nextpower Inc. | 6.57% |
| 5 | VWS | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 4.59% |
| 6 | ENPH | Enphase Energy Inc | 4.57% |
| 7 | EQTL3 | Equatorial Energia S.A | 3.15% |
| 8 | EDP | EDP - Energias de Portugal S.A. | 2.93% |
| 9 | PLUG | Plug Power Inc | 2.88% |
| 10 | 9502 | Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. | 2.68% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | HCLN | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 1.91% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 26.61% | 25.07% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 21.97% | 32.60% |
| Utilities | 51.43% | 40.41% |
About HCLN
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About ZCLN
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both HCLN and ZCLN 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, ZCLN 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 HCLN and ZCLN?
HCLN (Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units) and ZCLN (BMO Clean Energy Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($19M vs $74M), dividend yield (N/A vs 1.62%), and year-to-date performance (-11.33% vs +1.93%).
Is HCLN better than ZCLN?
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 HCLN and ZCLN on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both HCLN and ZCLN should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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