ICLN vs. SDG
ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while SDG is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 11.99%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for SDG. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICLN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SDG.
Performance
ICLN vs. SDG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 40.54% return, which is significantly higher than SDG's 9.89% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has outperformed SDG with an annualized return of 11.99%, while SDG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.63% 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%
SDG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 9.62%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 7.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.63%
ICLN vs. SDG - 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% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 9.89% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 25.38% | -8.32% | 27.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICLN and SDG is 0.67, 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 | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2016 | 0.66 |
The correlation between ICLN and SDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ICLN vs. SDG — Risk / Return Rank
ICLN
SDG
ICLN vs. SDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG). 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 | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.32 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.50 | 2.96 | +4.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.35 | 10.84 | +10.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ICLN | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.20 | 1.78 | +1.41 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.08 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.52 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.08 | 0.51 | -0.59 |
Drawdowns
ICLN vs. SDG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than SDG's maximum drawdown of -30.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and SDG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ICLN | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.15% | -30.35% | -56.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.22% | -8.68% | -2.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.18% | -22.92% | -20.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -57.16% | -30.35% | -26.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.75% | -30.35% | -36.40% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -37.13% | -0.33% | -36.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.61% | -9.66% | -56.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.94% | 2.36% | +1.58% |
Volatility
ICLN vs. SDG - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 9.53% compared to iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) at 5.28%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ICLN | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.53% | 5.28% | +4.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.21% | 11.07% | +9.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.38% | 14.41% | +11.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.21% | 15.63% | +11.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.20% | 16.68% | +10.52% |
ICLN vs. SDG - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICLN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than SDG's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICLN vs. SDG - Dividend Comparison
ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than SDG's 1.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.82% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ICLN and SDG have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ICLN has higher volatility (9.53%) compared to SDG (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs SDG's -30.35%.
On 10-year performance, ICLN leads with 11.99% vs 8.63% for SDG. On fees, ICLN is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, SDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. 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 11.99% return vs 8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICLN is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SDG.
SDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 1.16% for ICLN.
ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while SDG is Global Equities. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for ICLN and 0.50% for SDG.
ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 1.78), 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.
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