IEO vs. IGE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEO (iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and IGE (iShares North American Natural Resources ETF) are both Energy Equities funds from iShares - IEO tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index while IGE tracks the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEO returned 10.42%/yr vs 9.79%/yr for IGE. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEO charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IGE.

Performance

IEO vs. IGE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) and iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEO achieves a 34.59% return, which is significantly higher than IGE's 22.98% return. Over the past 10 years, IEO has outperformed IGE with an annualized return of 10.42%, while IGE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.79% annualized return.

IEO

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -3.23%
• YTD: 34.59%
• 6M: 26.42%
• 1Y: 40.11%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 18.96%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

IGE

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 22.98%
• 6M: 23.36%
• 1Y: 43.74%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

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

IEO vs. IGE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	34.59%	2.15%	-1.45%	3.57%	57.82%	75.57%	-32.77%	9.63%	-19.44%	0.33%
IGE iShares North American Natural Resources ETF	22.98%	20.41%	7.55%	3.12%	33.24%	39.42%	-19.58%	17.16%	-21.59%	0.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IEO and IGE is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.94

Over the past year, the correlation between IEO and IGE has dropped to 0.73 - well below their long-term average of 0.94, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IEO vs. IGE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEO	IGE
Energy	99.3%	71.9%
Basic Materials	0.7%	24.5%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IEO vs. IGE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IEO

IEO Risk / Return Rank: 45
IEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
IEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
IEO Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
IEO Martin Ratio Rank: 45

IGE

IGE Risk / Return Rank: 84
IGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
IGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
IGE Omega Ratio Rank: 75
IGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IGE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

IEO vs. IGE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) and iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE). 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.

	IEO	IGE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.75	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	3.64	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	7.93	-5.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.63	19.51	-11.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEO vs. IGE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEO Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the IGE Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEO and IGE, 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

	IEO	IGE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	2.75	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.77	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.39	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.30	-0.13

Drawdowns

IEO vs. IGE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEO drawdown since its inception was -79.17%, which is greater than IGE's maximum drawdown of -67.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEO and IGE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEO	IGE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.17%	-67.55%	-11.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.30%	-5.54%	-8.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.46%	-19.49%	-11.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.46%	-25.72%	-5.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.00%	-60.57%	-14.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	-2.86%	-4.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.27%	-18.90%	-7.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	2.25%	+3.03%

Volatility

IEO vs. IGE - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) has a higher volatility of 9.32% compared to iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) at 4.40%. This indicates that IEO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEO	IGE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	4.40%	+4.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.86%	12.67%	+7.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.15%	15.98%	+9.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.54%	22.45%	+8.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.00%	24.94%	+10.06%

IEO vs. IGE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEO has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than IGE's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEO vs. IGE - Dividend Comparison

IEO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, more than IGE's 1.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	1.97%	2.61%	2.63%	3.00%	3.77%	2.62%	3.17%	1.85%	1.67%	0.94%	0.98%	2.03%
IGE iShares North American Natural Resources ETF	1.89%	2.32%	2.54%	2.85%	2.96%	2.92%	3.34%	5.55%	2.68%	2.11%	1.66%	3.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEO and IGE in my portfolio?

IEO and IGE have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEO or IGE?

IEO has higher volatility (9.32%) compared to IGE (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEO dropped -79.17% vs IGE's -67.55%.

Which ETF is better, IEO or IGE?

On 10-year performance, IEO leads with 10.42% vs 9.79% for IGE. On fees, IGE is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IGE has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEO or IGE?

Over the 10-year period, IEO has performed better with a 10.42% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEO or IGE?

IGE is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IEO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEO or IGE?

IEO has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 1.89% for IGE.

What is the main difference between IEO and IGE?

IEO tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, while IGE tracks S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IEO and 0.39% for IGE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.61), 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.