PIO vs. ICLN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PIO (Invesco Global Water ETF) and ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PIO is a Water Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index, while ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PIO returned 8.81%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for ICLN. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PIO charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for ICLN.

Performance

PIO vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIO achieves a 3.66% return, which is significantly lower than ICLN's 9.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PIO having a 8.81% annualized return and ICLN not far behind at 8.70%.

PIO

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: -0.21%
• 6M: -2.61%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 8.81%
• ALL TIME*: 4.60%

ICLN

• 1D: 2.51%
• 1M: -8.54%
• 6M: -1.05%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 1Y: 34.36%
• 3Y*: 3.25%
• 5Y*: -3.63%
• 10Y*: 8.70%
• ALL TIME*: -3.80%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	$126.79M	$99.18M	$122.18M
PIO Invesco Global Water ETF	$333.43K	$295.54K	$434.78K

PIO vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIO Invesco Global Water ETF	3.66%	14.25%	-0.44%	22.19%	-24.06%	25.97%	14.22%	35.59%	-9.71%	26.52%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	9.79%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between PIO and ICLN is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2008	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between PIO and ICLN has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PIO vs. ICLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PIO	ICLN
Industrials	53.0%	22.6%
Utilities	17.6%	40.9%
Healthcare	10.2%	-
Basic Materials	9.6%	1.7%
Technology	8.1%	25.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.6%	0.1%
Financial Services	0.0%	0.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

PIO vs. ICLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PIO

PIO Risk / Return Rank: 17
PIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
PIO Omega Ratio Rank: 16
PIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
PIO Martin Ratio Rank: 17

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 40
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 41
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ICLN Martin Ratio Rank: 39

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PIO vs. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). 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.

	PIO	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	1.13	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	1.62	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.20	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	1.20	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.81	4.12	-3.30

PIO vs. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIO Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIO and ICLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PIO vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIO drawdown since its inception was -64.88%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIO and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIO	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.88%	-87.15%	+22.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.14%	-28.78%	+15.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.08%	-36.96%	+19.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.27%	-57.16%	+22.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.76%	-66.75%	+30.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.87%	-50.88%	+45.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.36%	-66.42%	+51.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.57%	8.37%	-2.80%

Volatility

PIO vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) is 4.38%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 10.98%. This indicates that PIO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ICLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIO	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	10.98%	-6.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	25.30%	-12.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	30.70%	-15.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	28.06%	-10.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.15%	27.53%	-9.38%

PIO vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIO has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than ICLN's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIO vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

PIO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than ICLN's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.02%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%
PIO Invesco Global Water ETF	0.89%	1.04%	0.78%	0.84%	1.02%	1.19%	0.88%	1.20%	2.00%	1.00%	1.45%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIO and ICLN in my portfolio?

PIO and ICLN have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIO or ICLN?

ICLN has higher volatility (10.98%) compared to PIO (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIO dropped -64.88% vs ICLN's -87.15%.

Which ETF is better, PIO or ICLN?

On 10-year performance, PIO leads with 8.81% vs 8.70% for ICLN. On fees, ICLN is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, PIO has been the lower-risk option at 4.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PIO or ICLN?

Over the 10-year period, PIO has performed better with a 8.81% return vs 8.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PIO or ICLN?

ICLN is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PIO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PIO or ICLN?

ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.89% for PIO.

What is the main difference between PIO and ICLN?

PIO is categorized as Water Equities, while ICLN is Alternative Energy Equities. PIO tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index, while ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PIO and 0.39% for ICLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.30), 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.