CGAEX vs. ICLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGAEX (Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A) and ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) are both funds - CGAEX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Calvert Research and Management, while ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. Over the past 10 years, CGAEX returned 11.54%/yr vs 11.99%/yr for ICLN. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGAEX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for ICLN.

Performance

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A (CGAEX) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGAEX achieves a 22.98% return, which is significantly lower than ICLN's 40.54% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CGAEX having a 11.54% annualized return and ICLN not far ahead at 11.99%.

CGAEX

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 4.19%
• YTD: 22.98%
• 6M: 23.45%
• 1Y: 48.72%
• 3Y*: 13.64%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

ICLN

• 1D: -2.78%
• 1M: 11.22%
• YTD: 40.54%
• 6M: 39.84%
• 1Y: 83.73%
• 3Y*: 8.92%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: 11.99%

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

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CGAEX Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A	22.98%	32.27%	-7.33%	5.40%	-17.66%	6.50%	61.15%	33.16%	-19.66%	29.42%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	40.54%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between CGAEX and ICLN is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008	0.82

The correlation between CGAEX and ICLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGAEX vs. ICLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGAEX

CGAEX Risk / Return Rank: 88
CGAEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
CGAEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
CGAEX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
CGAEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
CGAEX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 87
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
ICLN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A (CGAEX) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). 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.

	CGAEX	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	3.20	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	3.86	+0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.48	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.98	7.50	-1.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.62	21.35	-0.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGAEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGAEX and ICLN, 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

	CGAEX	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	3.20	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.08	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.44	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	-0.08	+0.13

Drawdowns

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGAEX drawdown since its inception was -76.34%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGAEX and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGAEX	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.34%	-87.15%	+10.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.41%	-11.22%	+2.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.93%	-43.18%	+18.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.14%	-57.16%	+24.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.53%	-66.75%	+29.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.17%	-37.13%	+32.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.64%	-66.61%	+15.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.43%	3.94%	-1.51%

Volatility

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A (CGAEX) is 5.83%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 9.53%. This indicates that CGAEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ICLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGAEX	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.83%	9.53%	-3.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.93%	20.21%	-7.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.45%	26.38%	-9.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.16%	27.21%	-8.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.71%	27.20%	-7.49%

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGAEX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than ICLN's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGAEX vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

CGAEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than ICLN's 1.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGAEX Calvert Global Energy Solutions Fund Class A	0.42%	0.51%	0.91%	0.83%	0.65%	0.26%	0.66%	1.01%	1.69%	1.19%	1.06%	0.20%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.16%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGAEX and ICLN in my portfolio?

CGAEX and ICLN have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGAEX or ICLN?

ICLN has higher volatility (9.53%) compared to CGAEX (5.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGAEX dropped -76.34% vs ICLN's -87.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 3.06), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.