IGE vs. FRNRX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IGE (iShares North American Natural Resources ETF) and FRNRX (Franklin Natural Resources Fund) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IGE returned 9.61%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for FRNRX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IGE charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for FRNRX.

Performance

IGE vs. FRNRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) and Franklin Natural Resources Fund (FRNRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGE achieves a 23.54% return, which is significantly lower than FRNRX's 25.35% return. Over the past 10 years, IGE has underperformed FRNRX with an annualized return of 9.61%, while FRNRX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.41% annualized return.

IGE

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 23.54%
• 6M: 23.23%
• 1Y: 46.00%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 17.33%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

FRNRX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 25.35%
• 6M: 27.30%
• 1Y: 56.94%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 23.50%
• 10Y*: 11.41%

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

IGE vs. FRNRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGE iShares North American Natural Resources ETF	23.54%	20.41%	7.55%	3.12%	33.24%	39.42%	-19.58%	17.16%	-21.59%	0.82%
FRNRX Franklin Natural Resources Fund	25.35%	30.43%	1.28%	3.25%	30.52%	74.38%	-21.58%	10.03%	-23.78%	0.32%

Correlation

The correlation between IGE and FRNRX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 27, 2001	0.96

The correlation between IGE and FRNRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGE vs. FRNRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGE

IGE Risk / Return Rank: 88
IGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
IGE Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IGE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

FRNRX

FRNRX Risk / Return Rank: 93
FRNRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FRNRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FRNRX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FRNRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FRNRX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

IGE vs. FRNRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) and Franklin Natural Resources Fund (FRNRX). 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.

	IGE	FRNRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	3.48	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	4.34	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.59	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.34	8.71	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.47	31.07	-10.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGE vs. FRNRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGE Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is comparable to the FRNRX Sharpe Ratio of 3.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGE and FRNRX, 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

	IGE	FRNRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	3.48	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.92	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.40	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.29	+0.01

Drawdowns

IGE vs. FRNRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGE drawdown since its inception was -67.55%, smaller than the maximum FRNRX drawdown of -80.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGE and FRNRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGE	FRNRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.55%	-80.54%	+12.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.54%	-6.53%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.49%	-19.65%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.72%	-26.29%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.57%	-70.71%	+10.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.41%	-0.54%	-1.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.89%	-23.83%	+4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	1.83%	+0.42%

Volatility

IGE vs. FRNRX - Volatility Comparison

iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) and Franklin Natural Resources Fund (FRNRX) have volatilities of 4.41% and 4.59%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGE	FRNRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.41%	4.59%	-0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	12.89%	-0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.97%	16.32%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	25.57%	-3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.94%	28.57%	-3.63%

IGE vs. FRNRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGE has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FRNRX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGE vs. FRNRX - Dividend Comparison

IGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.89%, more than FRNRX's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRNRX Franklin Natural Resources Fund	1.35%	1.70%	2.40%	1.98%	2.38%	22.66%	2.39%	1.64%	2.43%	1.16%	1.02%	0.86%
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 IGE and FRNRX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, IGE and FRNRX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IGE or FRNRX?

FRNRX has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to IGE (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGE dropped -67.55% vs FRNRX's -80.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRNRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.48 vs 2.90), 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.