ICLN vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ICLN returned 11.99%/yr vs 25.78%/yr for VGT. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICLN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

ICLN vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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 VGT's 31.64% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 11.99%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.78% 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%

VGT

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 18.07%
• YTD: 31.64%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 60.15%
• 3Y*: 33.48%
• 5Y*: 22.23%
• 10Y*: 25.78%

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

ICLN vs. VGT - 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	31.64%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between ICLN and VGT is 0.58, 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	0.58
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 VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (3 years) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ICLN vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICLN	VGT
Utilities	32.8%	-
Industrials	27.8%	0.4%
Energy	26.4%	0.3%
Technology	11.1%	98.5%
Basic Materials	1.1%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	0.1%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ICLN vs. VGT — 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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	2.95	+0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	3.63	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.50	3.69	+3.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.35	11.77	+9.57
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. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICLN Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICLN and VGT, 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	2.95	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.89	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	1.05	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.68	-0.76

Drawdowns

ICLN vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICLN	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.15%	-54.63%	-32.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.22%	-16.40%	+5.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.18%	-27.23%	-15.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.16%	-35.07%	-22.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.75%	-35.07%	-31.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.13%	-1.48%	-35.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.61%	-7.95%	-58.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.94%	5.13%	-1.19%

Volatility

ICLN vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 9.53% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 6.39%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICLN	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.53%	6.39%	+3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.21%	16.07%	+4.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.38%	20.57%	+5.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.21%	25.18%	+2.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.20%	24.60%	+2.60%

ICLN vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICLN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICLN vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than VGT's 0.31% 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICLN and VGT in my portfolio?

ICLN and VGT have a correlation of 0.58, 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 VGT?

ICLN has higher volatility (9.53%) compared to VGT (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, ICLN or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 25.78% vs 11.99% for ICLN. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VGT has been the lower-risk option at 6.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICLN or VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 25.78% 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 VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for ICLN.

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

ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.31% for VGT.

What is the main difference between ICLN and VGT?

ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VGT is Technology Equities. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for ICLN and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 2.95), 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.