A side-by-side comparison of BMO Clean Energy Index ETF (ZCLN) 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 | ZCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +31.14%✓ | +4.28% |
| 1-Day Change | +2.06%✓ | +0.54% |
| 1-Week Change | +4.67%✓ | +1.08% |
| 1-Month Change | 0.00% | +3.13%✓ |
| Current Price | $23.75 | $31.94 |
| AUM | $89M | $356M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | — |
| Inception Date | 2021-01-26 | 2026-02-05 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | — |
| Category | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 1.10 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $25.30 | $32.33 |
| 52-Week Low | $13.60 | $27.82 |
| 50-Day MA | $22.45 | $30.82 |
| 200-Day MA | $19.48 | $30.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +31.14%✓ | +4.28% |
| 1 Year | +66.45% | — |
| 3 Year | +6.81% | — |
| 5 Year | +2.96% | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 21.50% | — |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.39 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | BE | Bloom Energy Corp | 12.52% |
| 2 | FSLR | First Solar Inc | 7.77% |
| 3 | NXT | Nextracker Inc. Class A Common Stock | 7.68% |
| 4 | 600900 | China Yangtze Power Co Ltd | 5.83% |
| 5 | ENPH | Enphase Energy Inc | 4.55% |
| 6 | PLUG | Plug Power Inc | 3.43% |
| 7 | VWS | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 3.27% |
| 8 | EQTL3 | Equatorial Energia S.A | 2.51% |
| 9 | SEDG | SolarEdge Technologies Inc | 2.43% |
| 10 | SUZLON | Suzlon Energy Limited | 2.17% |
| 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 | ZCLN | ZESM |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.59% | 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 | 31.59% | 25.78% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 7.59% |
| Technology | 32.99% | 8.12% |
| Utilities | 33.83% | 4.38% |
About ZCLN
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 ZCLN and ZESM are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
ZCLN and ZESM are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- 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 ZCLN and ZESM?
ZCLN (BMO Clean Energy Index ETF) and ZESM (BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($89M vs $356M), dividend yield (1.20% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+31.14% vs +4.28%).
Is ZCLN better than ZESM?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZCLN has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZCLN and ZESM on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZCLN and ZESM should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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