ICLN vs. VGUS
ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ICLN returned 64.46% vs 3.85% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. ICLN charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.
Performance
ICLN vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 26.14% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.61% return.
ICLN
- 1D
- -4.44%
- 1M
- -7.52%
- YTD
- 26.14%
- 6M
- 25.31%
- 1Y
- 64.46%
- 3Y*
- 6.74%
- 5Y*
- -0.79%
- 10Y*
- 11.38%
VGUS
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 1.61%
- 6M
- 1.69%
- 1Y
- 3.85%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ICLN vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | 26.14% | 49.01% |
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF | 1.61% | 3.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between ICLN and VGUS is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025 | -0.11 |
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Return for Risk
ICLN vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank
ICLN
VGUS
ICLN vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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 | VGUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -9.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -31.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 10.49 | -9.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.96 | 53.13 | -49.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.73 | 402.18 | -388.46 |
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Drawdowns
ICLN vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and VGUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ICLN | VGUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.15% | -0.07% | -87.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.38% | -0.07% | -16.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.18% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -57.16% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.75% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -43.56% | 0.00% | -43.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -66.53% | -0.00% | -66.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.71% | 0.01% | +4.70% |
Volatility
ICLN vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 13.47% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ICLN | VGUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.47% | 0.11% | +13.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.14% | 0.18% | +22.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.52% | 0.33% | +28.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.69% | 0.34% | +27.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.33% | 0.34% | +26.99% |
ICLN vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
ICLN has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
ICLN vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison
ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than VGUS's 3.60% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | 0.89% | 1.63% | 1.85% | 1.59% | 0.89% | 1.18% | 0.34% | 1.36% | 2.77% | 2.49% | 3.88% | 2.36% |
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF | 3.60% | 3.12% | 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 VGUS have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ICLN has higher volatility (13.47%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLN dropped -87.15% vs VGUS's -0.07%.
On 1-year performance, ICLN leads with 64.46% vs 3.85% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ICLN has performed better with a 64.46% return vs 3.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ICLN.
VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.60%, compared with 0.89% for ICLN.
ICLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index, while VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ICLN and 0.07% for VGUS.
VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.84 vs 2.27), 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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