EFRA vs. ICLN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EFRA (iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF) and ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFRA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index, while ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EFRA returned 11.06%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for ICLN. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for ICLN.

Performance

EFRA vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) 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, EFRA achieves a 4.54% return, which is significantly lower than ICLN's 40.54% return.

EFRA

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -2.15%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 5.64%
• 1Y: 10.48%
• 3Y*: 11.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

EFRA vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	4.54%	13.76%	8.09%	14.49%	7.48%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	40.54%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	4.55%

Correlation

The correlation between EFRA and ICLN is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2022	0.59

The correlation between EFRA and ICLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EFRA vs. ICLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFRA	ICLN
Industrials	61.8%	27.8%
Utilities	24.1%	32.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	0.1%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.1%
Technology	2.7%	11.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	26.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EFRA vs. ICLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFRA

EFRA Risk / Return Rank: 21
EFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
EFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
EFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 21
EFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
EFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

EFRA vs. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) 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.

	EFRA	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	3.20	-2.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	3.86	-2.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.48	-0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	7.50	-6.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.69	21.35	-18.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFRA vs. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFRA Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFRA 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

	EFRA	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	3.20	-2.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.08	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	-0.08	+0.97

Drawdowns

EFRA vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFRA drawdown since its inception was -16.25%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFRA and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFRA	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.25%	-87.15%	+70.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-11.22%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.25%	-43.18%	+26.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-57.16%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.36%	-37.13%	+29.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-66.61%	+62.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	3.94%	-0.11%

Volatility

EFRA vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) is 4.42%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 9.53%. This indicates that EFRA 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

	EFRA	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	9.53%	-5.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	20.21%	-9.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.02%	26.38%	-12.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.52%	27.21%	-11.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	27.20%	-11.68%

EFRA vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than ICLN's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFRA vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

EFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.15%, more than ICLN's 1.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	4.15%	4.34%	3.79%	1.85%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 EFRA and ICLN in my portfolio?

EFRA and ICLN have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFRA or ICLN?

ICLN has higher volatility (9.53%) compared to EFRA (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFRA dropped -16.25% vs ICLN's -87.15%.

Which ETF is better, EFRA or ICLN?

On 3-year performance, EFRA leads with 11.06% vs 8.92% for ICLN. On fees, ICLN is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, EFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFRA or ICLN?

Over the 3-year period, EFRA has performed better with a 11.06% return vs 8.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFRA or ICLN?

ICLN is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for EFRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFRA or ICLN?

EFRA has the higher dividend yield at 4.15%, compared with 1.16% for ICLN.

What is the main difference between EFRA and ICLN?

EFRA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while ICLN is Alternative Energy Equities. EFRA tracks FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index, while ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for EFRA and 0.46% for ICLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 0.75), 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.