LCTU vs. VCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF) and VCLN (Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock, while VCLN is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LCTU returned 21.17%/yr vs 20.62%/yr for VCLN. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LCTU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for VCLN.

Performance

LCTU vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LCTU achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly lower than VCLN's 39.16% return.

LCTU

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 25.72%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 12.37%
• 10Y*: —

VCLN

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 11.34%
• YTD: 39.16%
• 6M: 37.23%
• 1Y: 95.86%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LCTU vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	9.04%	16.96%	24.00%	25.38%	-20.02%	8.45%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	39.16%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between LCTU and VCLN is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2021	0.59

The correlation between LCTU and VCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LCTU vs. VCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LCTU	VCLN
Technology	34.6%	22.4%
Financial Services	12.1%	-
Communication Services	10.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Healthcare	8.8%	-
Industrials	8.7%	36.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	1.1%
Real Estate	2.5%	-
Utilities	2.5%	39.8%
Basic Materials	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

LCTU vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 61
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 90
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

LCTU vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). 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.

	LCTU	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	3.30	-1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	4.05	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.51	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	7.66	-4.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	29.03	-16.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LCTU vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCTU Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is lower than the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCTU and VCLN, 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

	LCTU	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	3.30	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.30	+0.46

Drawdowns

LCTU vs. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCTU drawdown since its inception was -25.93%, smaller than the maximum VCLN drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCTU and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCTU	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.93%	-45.66%	+19.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.38%	-12.58%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.83%	-29.25%	+9.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-1.16%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.32%	-24.09%	+17.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	3.31%	-1.20%

Volatility

LCTU vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) is 3.04%, while Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) has a volatility of 9.04%. This indicates that LCTU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCTU	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	9.04%	-6.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	20.11%	-10.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	29.22%	-16.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	27.43%	-10.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	27.43%	-10.41%

LCTU vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCTU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

LCTU vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

LCTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than VCLN's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	0.93%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.45%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LCTU and VCLN in my portfolio?

LCTU and VCLN have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LCTU or VCLN?

VCLN has higher volatility (9.04%) compared to LCTU (3.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCTU dropped -25.93% vs VCLN's -45.66%.

Which ETF is better, LCTU or VCLN?

On 3-year performance, LCTU leads with 21.17% vs 20.62% for VCLN. On fees, LCTU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LCTU has been the lower-risk option at 3.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LCTU or VCLN?

Over the 3-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 21.17% return vs 20.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LCTU or VCLN?

LCTU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for VCLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LCTU or VCLN?

VCLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.93% for LCTU.

What is the main difference between LCTU and VCLN?

LCTU is categorized as ESG, while VCLN is Sustainable. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for LCTU and 0.59% for VCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 2.10), 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.