ICLN vs. VCR
ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VCR is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 11.99%/yr vs 13.46%/yr for VCR. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICLN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCR.
Performance
ICLN vs. VCR - 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 VCR's -0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has underperformed VCR with an annualized return of 11.99%, while VCR has yielded a comparatively higher 13.46% 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%
VCR
- 1D
- -0.78%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- YTD
- -0.77%
- 6M
- -0.95%
- 1Y
- 9.75%
- 3Y*
- 14.98%
- 5Y*
- 6.17%
- 10Y*
- 13.46%
ICLN vs. VCR - 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% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | -0.77% | 5.77% | 24.27% | 40.38% | -35.15% | 24.86% | 48.36% | 27.45% | -2.31% | 22.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICLN and VCR is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008 | 0.60 |
The correlation between ICLN and VCR shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ICLN vs. VCR — Risk / Return Rank
ICLN
VCR
ICLN vs. VCR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). 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 | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.10 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.50 | 0.63 | +6.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.35 | 1.97 | +19.38 |
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 | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.20 | 0.53 | +2.67 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.08 | 0.26 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.60 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.08 | 0.51 | -0.59 |
Drawdowns
ICLN vs. VCR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than VCR's maximum drawdown of -61.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and VCR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ICLN | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.15% | -61.54% | -25.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.22% | -15.59% | +4.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.18% | -27.36% | -15.82% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -57.16% | -39.20% | -17.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.75% | -39.20% | -27.55% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -37.13% | -5.29% | -31.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.61% | -9.40% | -57.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.94% | 4.97% | -1.03% |
Volatility
ICLN vs. VCR - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 9.53% compared to Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) at 5.18%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ICLN | VCR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.53% | 5.18% | +4.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.21% | 13.09% | +7.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.38% | 18.48% | +7.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.21% | 23.99% | +3.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.20% | 22.40% | +4.80% |
ICLN vs. VCR - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICLN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VCR's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICLN vs. VCR - Dividend Comparison
ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than VCR's 0.73% 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% |
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.73% | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.84% | 0.98% | 0.79% | 1.71% | 1.17% | 1.37% | 1.21% | 1.60% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ICLN and VCR have a correlation of 0.46, 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 VCR (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs VCR's -61.54%.
On 10-year performance, VCR leads with 13.46% vs 11.99% for ICLN. On fees, VCR is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VCR has been the lower-risk option at 5.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCR has performed better with a 13.46% return vs 11.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCR is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for ICLN.
ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.73% for VCR.
ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VCR is Consumer Discretionary Equities. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VCR tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for ICLN and 0.10% for VCR.
ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 0.53), 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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