ICLN vs. BND
ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 8.54%/yr vs 1.39%/yr for BND. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. ICLN charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
ICLN vs. BND - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 8.51% return, which is significantly higher than BND's -0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 8.54%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.39% annualized return.
ICLN
- 1D
- -3.21%
- 1M
- -12.37%
- 6M
- -2.42%
- YTD
- 8.51%
- 1Y
- 28.61%
- 3Y*
- -0.23%
- 5Y*
- -3.38%
- 10Y*
- 8.54%
- ALL TIME*
- -3.87%
BND
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -1.42%
- 6M
- -0.67%
- YTD
- -0.43%
- 1Y
- 2.86%
- 3Y*
- 3.74%
- 5Y*
- -0.35%
- 10Y*
- 1.39%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.00%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $466.33M | $583.60M | $597.37M | |
| $75.84M | $93.70M | $122.85M |
ICLN vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | 8.51% | 47.05% | -25.72% | -20.41% | -5.43% | -24.18% | 141.82% | 44.36% | -9.03% | 21.47% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | -0.43% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 3.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICLN and BND is 0.17, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2008 | -0.01 |
The correlation between ICLN and BND shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.28 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ICLN vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
ICLN
BND
ICLN vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ICLN | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.15 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.96 | 3.04 | +0.92 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
ICLN vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and BND.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ICLN | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.15% | -18.58% | -68.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.94% | -2.68% | -22.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.82% | -5.28% | -35.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -57.16% | -17.91% | -39.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.75% | -18.58% | -48.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -51.46% | -3.04% | -48.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.44% | -3.06% | -63.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.36% | 1.03% | +6.33% |
Volatility
ICLN vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 0.91%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ICLN | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.43% | 0.91% | +9.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.87% | 2.85% | +22.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.01% | 3.72% | +26.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.94% | 6.02% | +21.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.45% | 5.53% | +21.92% |
ICLN vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICLN has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICLN vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than BND's 4.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 4.02% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | 1.04% | 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
ICLN and BND have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ICLN has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to BND (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs BND's -18.58%.
On 10-year performance, ICLN leads with 8.54% vs 1.39% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 0.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ICLN has performed better with a 8.54% return vs 1.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ICLN.
BND has the higher dividend yield at 4.02%, compared with 1.04% for ICLN.
ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while BND is Total Bond Market. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ICLN and 0.03% for BND.
ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.84), 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.
Find the right allocation for ICLN and BND
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer