A side-by-side comparison of Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units (HCLN) and BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF (ZESM) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | HCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.81% | +2.09%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -1.81% | -0.86%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -6.53% | -2.68%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -9.56% | +0.51%✓ |
| Current Price | $10.31 | $31.27 |
| AUM | $24M | $356M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | — |
| Dividend Yield | — | — |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | — |
| Inception Date | 2021-01-11 | 2026-02-05 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★ | — |
| Category | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 0.94 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $12.90 | $32.33 |
| 52-Week Low | $8.43 | $27.68 |
| 50-Day MA | $11.53 | $31.15 |
| 200-Day MA | $10.82 | $30.56 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | HCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.81% | +2.09%✓ |
| 1 Year | +46.09% | — |
| 3 Year | -0.49% | — |
| 5 Year | -4.16% | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 20.30% | — |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.08 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | SEDG | SolarEdge Technologies Inc | 3.79% |
| 2 | BLX | Boralex Inc | 3.47% |
| 3 | TE | T1 Energy Inc. | 3.40% |
| 4 | NDX1 | Nordex SE | 3.05% |
| 5 | ENPH | Enphase Energy Inc | 3.05% |
| 6 | PLUG | Plug Power Inc | 3.02% |
| 7 | ENS | Enersys | 3.01% |
| 8 | RNW | Renew Energy Global PLC | 2.85% |
| 9 | NPI | Northland Power Inc. | 2.84% |
| 10 | NXT | Nextracker Inc. Class A Common Stock | 2.83% |
| 1 | SCZ | iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF | 6.73% |
| 2 | 5803 | Fujikura Ltd. | 0.76% |
| 3 | 5802 | Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. | 0.63% |
| 4 | PRY | Prysmian SpA | 0.60% |
| 5 | 6762 | TDK Corp | 0.44% |
| 6 | SDZNY | Sandoz Group AG | 0.43% |
| 7 | DANSKE | Danske Bank A/S | 0.40% |
| 8 | SLHN | Swiss Life Holding AG | 0.38% |
| 9 | VWS | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 0.37% |
| 10 | 6273 | SMC Corp | 0.37% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | HCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.14% | 8.29% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 4.56% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 10.15% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 5.99% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 3.43% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 15.63% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 6.09% |
| Industrials | 23.79% | 25.78% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 7.59% |
| Technology | 28.74% | 8.12% |
| Utilities | 44.34% | 4.38% |
About HCLN
NA
About ZESM
BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF (ZESM.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both HCLN and ZESM 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, ZESM 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 ZESM?
HCLN (Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units) and ZESM (BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($24M vs $356M), dividend yield (N/A vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (-1.81% vs +2.09%).
Is HCLN better than ZESM?
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 ZESM on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both HCLN and ZESM should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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