VCR vs. ICLN

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN).

VCR and ICLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VCR is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. ICLN is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. It was launched on Jun 24, 2008. Both VCR and ICLN are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VCR vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

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

VCR vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	-7.95%	5.77%	24.27%	40.38%	-35.15%	24.86%	48.36%	27.45%	-2.31%	22.82%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	11.08%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCR achieves a -7.95% return, which is significantly lower than ICLN's 11.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VCR has outperformed ICLN with an annualized return of 12.56%, while ICLN has yielded a comparatively lower 8.94% annualized return.

VCR

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: -4.51%
• YTD: -7.95%
• 6M: -8.86%
• 1Y: 10.82%
• 3Y*: 13.67%
• 5Y*: 4.88%
• 10Y*: 12.56%

ICLN

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -0.44%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 15.82%
• 1Y: 61.77%
• 3Y*: -1.04%
• 5Y*: -4.16%
• 10Y*: 8.94%

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

VCR vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCR has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than ICLN's 0.46% expense ratio.

ICLN

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF

VCR

Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF

Return for Risk

VCR vs. ICLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCR

VCR Risk / Return Rank: 27
VCR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
VCR Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
VCR Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VCR Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VCR Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ICLN 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.

VCR vs. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) 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.

	VCR	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	2.38	-1.93
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	3.01	-2.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	5.60	-4.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.51	15.65	-13.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCR vs. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCR Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCR and ICLN, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCR	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45	2.38	-1.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	-0.15	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.33	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	-0.12	+0.61

Correlation

The correlation between VCR and ICLN is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VCR vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

VCR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than ICLN's 1.47% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.79%	0.74%	0.74%	0.84%	0.98%	0.79%	1.71%	1.17%	1.37%	1.21%	1.60%	1.32%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.47%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%

Drawdowns

VCR vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCR drawdown since its inception was -61.54%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCR and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCR	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.54%	-87.15%	+25.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.59%	-11.22%	-4.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.20%	-57.16%	+17.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.20%	-66.75%	+27.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.14%	-50.31%	+38.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-66.84%	+57.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.78%	4.01%	+0.77%

Volatility

VCR vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) is 7.41%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 10.23%. This indicates that VCR 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

	VCR	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.41%	10.23%	-2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.96%	20.47%	-6.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.28%	26.14%	-1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.94%	27.16%	-3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.33%	27.04%	-4.71%