XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XCLN.TO (iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF) and ZJG.TO (BMO Junior Gold Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XCLN.TO is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while ZJG.TO is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Dow Jones North America Select Junior Gold Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XCLN.TO returned 8.97%/yr vs 50.57%/yr for ZJG.TO. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XCLN.TO charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for ZJG.TO.

Performance

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF (XCLN.TO) and BMO Junior Gold Index ETF (ZJG.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XCLN.TO achieves a 43.07% return, which is significantly higher than ZJG.TO's 1.53% return.

XCLN.TO

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 14.72%
• YTD: 43.07%
• 6M: 37.48%
• 1Y: 84.30%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZJG.TO

• 1D: -3.57%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 71.02%
• 3Y*: 50.57%
• 5Y*: 26.99%
• 10Y*: 15.97%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XCLN.TO iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF	43.07%	37.41%	-19.86%	-21.98%	13.22%
ZJG.TO BMO Junior Gold Index ETF	1.53%	154.66%	36.44%	6.11%	-9.34%

Correlation

The correlation between XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2022	0.12

Return for Risk

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XCLN.TO

XCLN.TO Risk / Return Rank: 88
XCLN.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XCLN.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XCLN.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 82
XCLN.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
XCLN.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 89

ZJG.TO

ZJG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 41
ZJG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
ZJG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ZJG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 43
ZJG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ZJG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF (XCLN.TO) and BMO Junior Gold Index ETF (ZJG.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	XCLN.TO	ZJG.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	1.54	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	1.93	+1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.28	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.00	2.23	+4.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.91	5.52	+14.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCLN.TO Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is higher than the ZJG.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XCLN.TO	ZJG.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15	1.54	+1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.17	+0.16

Drawdowns

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCLN.TO drawdown since its inception was -49.29%, smaller than the maximum ZJG.TO drawdown of -81.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCLN.TO	ZJG.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.29%	-81.59%	+32.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.10%	-32.02%	+19.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.31%	-32.02%	-7.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-41.63%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-28.35%	+27.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.54%	-49.08%	+23.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	12.91%	-8.66%

Volatility

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF (XCLN.TO) is 10.50%, while BMO Junior Gold Index ETF (ZJG.TO) has a volatility of 15.90%. This indicates that XCLN.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZJG.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XCLN.TO	ZJG.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.50%	15.90%	-5.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.24%	37.93%	-17.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.95%	46.25%	-19.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.50%	36.27%	-10.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	38.00%	-12.50%

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCLN.TO has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ZJG.TO's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCLN.TO vs. ZJG.TO - Dividend Comparison

XCLN.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than ZJG.TO's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XCLN.TO iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF	1.04%	1.49%	1.24%	1.15%	0.39%	0.00%
ZJG.TO BMO Junior Gold Index ETF	0.12%	0.12%	0.68%	0.90%	0.83%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO in my portfolio?

XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XCLN.TO or ZJG.TO?

On fees, XCLN.TO is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XCLN.TO or ZJG.TO?

XCLN.TO is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for ZJG.TO.

What is the main difference between XCLN.TO and ZJG.TO?

XCLN.TO is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while ZJG.TO is Precious Metals. XCLN.TO tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while ZJG.TO tracks Dow Jones North America Select Junior Gold Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XCLN.TO and 0.61% for ZJG.TO.