A side-by-side comparison of BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF (ZESM) and Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units (HCLN) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Get 200 free trades when you open an eligible CIBC Investor's Edge account with promo code EDGE2026.
- ✓200 free stock & ETF trades
- ✓Unlimited commission-free trades on 180+ select ETFs
- ✓Offer ends September 30, 2026
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZESM | HCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +2.09%✓ | -1.81% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.86%✓ | -1.81% |
| 1-Week Change | -2.68%✓ | -6.53% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.51%✓ | -9.56% |
| Current Price | $31.27 | $10.31 |
| AUM | $356M✓ | $24M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | — | — |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Annually |
| Inception Date | 2026-02-05 | 2021-01-11 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | ★ |
| Category | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity | Global Small/Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.94 |
| 52-Week High | $32.33 | $12.90 |
| 52-Week Low | $27.68 | $8.43 |
| 50-Day MA | $31.15 | $11.53 |
| 200-Day MA | $30.56 | $10.82 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZESM | HCLN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +2.09%✓ | -1.81% |
| 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 | 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% |
| 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% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZESM | HCLN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.29% | 3.14% |
| Communication Services | 4.56% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 10.15% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.99% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 3.43% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 15.63% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 6.09% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 25.78% | 23.79% |
| Real Estate | 7.59% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 8.12% | 28.74% |
| Utilities | 4.38% | 44.34% |
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.
About HCLN
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZESM and HCLN 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 ZESM and HCLN?
ZESM (BMO MSCI EAFE Small-Mid Cap Index ETF) and HCLN (Harvest Clean Energy ETF Class A units) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($356M vs $24M), dividend yield (N/A vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+2.09% vs -1.81%).
Is ZESM better than HCLN?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZESM has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZESM and HCLN on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZESM and HCLN should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report