IXC vs. IYE
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds from iShares - IXC tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index while IYE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 9.33%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for IYE. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYE.
Performance
IXC vs. IYE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IXC having a 21.76% return and IYE slightly higher at 22.27%. Over the past 10 years, IXC has outperformed IYE with an annualized return of 9.33%, while IYE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.12% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 1.08%
- 1M
- -9.08%
- YTD
- 21.76%
- 6M
- 23.49%
- 1Y
- 28.26%
- 3Y*
- 16.21%
- 5Y*
- 17.91%
- 10Y*
- 9.33%
IYE
- 1D
- 1.34%
- 1M
- -8.19%
- YTD
- 22.27%
- 6M
- 23.44%
- 1Y
- 25.82%
- 3Y*
- 15.13%
- 5Y*
- 17.89%
- 10Y*
- 8.12%
IXC vs. IYE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 21.76% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
IYE iShares U.S. Energy ETF | 22.27% | 7.33% | 6.06% | -2.21% | 60.21% | 53.42% | -33.49% | 10.03% | -19.37% | -1.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and IYE is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
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 16, 2001 | 0.93 |
The correlation between IXC and IYE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
IXC vs. IYE - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IXC
IYE
Energy
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
-
-
Energy
IXC
IYE
Basic Materials
IXC
-
IYE
-
Communication Services
IXC
-
IYE
-
Consumer Cyclical
IXC
-
IYE
-
Consumer Defensive
IXC
-
IYE
-
Financial Services
IXC
-
IYE
-
Healthcare
IXC
-
IYE
-
Industrials
IXC
-
IYE
-
Real Estate
IXC
-
IYE
-
Technology
IXC
-
IYE
Utilities
IXC
-
IYE
-
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. IYE — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
IYE
IXC vs. IYE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE). 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.
| IXC | IYE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.21 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.13 | 1.88 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.61 | 5.73 | +1.88 |
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Drawdowns
IXC vs. IYE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, smaller than the maximum IYE drawdown of -73.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and IYE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | IYE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -73.74% | +5.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.31% | -13.81% | +0.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -20.37% | +1.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | -25.61% | +0.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | -68.59% | +4.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.37% | -12.65% | +0.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.46% | -19.34% | +1.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.76% | 4.55% | -0.79% |
Volatility
IXC vs. IYE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.48%, while iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) has a volatility of 6.89%. This indicates that IXC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IYE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | IYE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.48% | 6.89% | -0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.81% | 16.48% | -0.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.19% | 20.43% | -1.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.48% | 25.66% | -2.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.87% | 29.55% | -2.68% |
IXC vs. IYE - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than IYE's 0.42% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. IYE - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, more than IYE's 2.33% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 3.12% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
IYE iShares U.S. Energy ETF | 2.33% | 2.85% | 2.75% | 2.99% | 3.37% | 2.98% | 4.75% | 6.60% | 3.16% | 2.66% | 2.11% | 3.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, IXC and IYE 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.
IYE has higher volatility (6.89%) compared to IXC (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs IYE's -73.74%.
On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 9.33% vs 8.12% for IYE. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 9.33% return vs 8.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXC is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYE.
IXC has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 2.33% for IYE.
IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while IYE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.42% for IYE.
IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.27), 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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