A side-by-side comparison of CI Invesco RAFI Global Small-Mid ETF (PZW) 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 | PZW | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +17.23%✓ | +3.59% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.18%✓ | -0.79% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.67%✓ | -4.72% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.97%✓ | -7.13% |
| Current Price | $48.71 | $18.76 |
| AUM | $26M | $75M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.68%✓ | 1.57% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Annually |
| Inception Date | 2015-05-06 | 2021-01-26 |
| Holdings Count | 2 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★ |
| Category | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 1.03 | 1.12 |
| 52-Week High | $49.56 | $25.30 |
| 52-Week Low | $39.21 | $14.44 |
| 50-Day MA | $48.16 | $20.64 |
| 200-Day MA | $44.67 | $20.10 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | PZW | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +17.23%✓ | +3.59% |
| 1 Year | +27.55%✓ | +24.07% |
| 3 Year | +20.86%✓ | +5.49% |
| 5 Year | +11.31%✓ | -2.11% |
| 10 Year | +11.00% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 11.54% | 33.09% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.06 | 0.08 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | PDN | Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Small-Mid ETF | 50.17% |
| 2 | PRFZ | Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1500 Small-Mid ETF | 49.36% |
| 1 | NXT | Nextracker Inc. Class A Common Stock | 7.76% |
| 2 | FSLR | First Solar Inc | 7.55% |
| 3 | 600900 | China Yangtze Power Co Ltd | 7.38% |
| 4 | BE | Bloom Energy Corp | 6.96% |
| 5 | ENPH | Enphase Energy Inc | 4.59% |
| 6 | VWS | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 3.43% |
| 7 | EQTL3 | Equatorial Energia S.A | 3.19% |
| 8 | PLUG | Plug Power Inc | 2.73% |
| 9 | EDP | EDP - Energias de Portugal S.A. | 2.62% |
| 10 | SEDG | SolarEdge Technologies Inc | 2.56% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | PZW | ZCLN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.33% | 2.02% |
| Communication Services | 3.87% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 12.03% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.46% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 4.84% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 14.03% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 12.10% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 18.97% | 23.68% |
| Real Estate | 8.12% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 13.28% | 34.15% |
| Utilities | 1.97% | 40.15% |
About PZW
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About ZCLN
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both PZW 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, PZW 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 PZW and ZCLN?
PZW (CI Invesco RAFI Global Small-Mid ETF) and ZCLN (BMO Clean Energy Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($26M vs $75M), dividend yield (1.68% vs 1.57%), and year-to-date performance (+17.23% vs +3.59%).
Is PZW better than ZCLN?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, PZW has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy PZW and ZCLN on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both PZW and ZCLN should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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