ICLN vs. SGOL
ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 8.54%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for SGOL. Their 0.15 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ICLN charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
ICLN vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 8.51% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -6.06% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 8.54%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.62% 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%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- 6M
- -18.71%
- YTD
- -6.06%
- 1Y
- 21.20%
- 3Y*
- 27.11%
- 5Y*
- 17.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $75.84M | $93.70M | $122.85M | |
| $79.87M | $79.24M | $102.39M |
ICLN vs. SGOL - 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% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -6.06% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICLN and SGOL is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009 | 0.15 |
Over the past year, ICLN and SGOL have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.15, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
ICLN vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
ICLN
SGOL
ICLN vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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 | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.15 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 0.77 | +0.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.96 | 1.73 | +2.23 |
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Drawdowns
ICLN vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ICLN | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.15% | -45.51% | -41.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.94% | -26.32% | +1.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.82% | -26.32% | -14.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -57.16% | -26.32% | -30.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.75% | -26.32% | -40.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -51.46% | -24.94% | -26.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.44% | -18.45% | -47.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.36% | 11.64% | -4.28% |
Volatility
ICLN vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) at 6.07%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ICLN | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.43% | 6.07% | +4.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.87% | 23.69% | +1.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.01% | 27.79% | +2.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.94% | 18.34% | +9.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.45% | 16.08% | +11.37% |
ICLN vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICLN has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICLN vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ICLN and SGOL have a correlation of 0.35, 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 SGOL (6.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.62% vs 8.54% for ICLN. On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, SGOL has been the lower-risk option at 6.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.62% return vs 8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ICLN.
ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while SGOL is Gold. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: iShares and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ICLN and 0.17% for SGOL.
ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.73), 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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