ICLN vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 11.99%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ICLN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ICLN vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 40.54% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 11.99%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.

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%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

ICLN vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ICLN and IAU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008	0.15

The correlation between ICLN and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ICLN vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICLN	IAU
Utilities	32.8%	-
Industrials	27.8%	-
Energy	26.4%	-
Technology	11.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

ICLN vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

ICLN vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	ICLN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	1.23	+1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	1.62	+2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.24	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.50	1.69	+5.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.35	4.19	+17.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ICLN vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICLN Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICLN and IAU, 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

	ICLN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	1.23	+1.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	1.03	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.84	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.62	-0.70

Drawdowns

ICLN vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICLN	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.15%	-45.14%	-42.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.22%	-19.18%	+7.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.18%	-19.18%	-24.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.16%	-20.93%	-36.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.75%	-21.82%	-44.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.13%	-17.70%	-19.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.61%	-15.96%	-50.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.94%	7.71%	-3.77%

Volatility

ICLN vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 9.53% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICLN	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.53%	5.50%	+4.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.21%	23.02%	-2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.38%	26.42%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.21%	17.95%	+9.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.20%	15.90%	+11.30%

ICLN vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICLN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICLN vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 ICLN and IAU in my portfolio?

ICLN and IAU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICLN or IAU?

ICLN has higher volatility (9.53%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ICLN or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 11.99% for ICLN. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICLN or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 11.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICLN or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for ICLN.

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

ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between ICLN and IAU?

ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while IAU is Gold. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for ICLN and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 1.23), 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.