XLE vs. ICLN

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector 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, XLE returned 10.27%/yr vs 8.54%/yr for ICLN. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XLE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for ICLN.

Performance

XLE vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 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, XLE achieves a 35.19% return, which is significantly higher than ICLN's 8.51% return. Over the past 10 years, XLE has outperformed ICLN with an annualized return of 10.27%, while ICLN has yielded a comparatively lower 8.54% annualized return.

XLE

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 10.22%
• 6M: 22.88%
• YTD: 35.19%
• 1Y: 41.17%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 24.14%
• 10Y*: 10.27%
• ALL TIME*: 8.88%

ICLN

• 1D: -3.21%
• 1M: -12.37%
• 6M: -2.42%
• YTD: 8.51%
• 1Y: 28.61%
• 3Y*: -0.23%
• 5Y*: -3.38%
• 10Y*: 8.54%
• ALL TIME*: -3.87%

*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	$75.84M	$93.70M	$122.85M
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	$1.81B	$1.67B	$2.01B

XLE vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	35.19%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	8.51%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between XLE and ICLN is -0.07, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2008	0.46

The correlation between XLE and ICLN shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLE vs. ICLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLE	ICLN
Energy	100.0%	8.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	22.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	24.7%
Utilities	-	40.4%

Return for Risk

XLE vs. ICLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 75
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 75
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 38
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ICLN Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

XLE vs. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 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.

	XLE	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	0.97	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.44	+1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.17	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	1.17	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.24	3.96	+3.28

XLE vs. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLE Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLE 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

XLE vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLE	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.26%	-87.15%	+15.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.98%	-24.94%	+9.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.14%	-40.82%	+20.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-57.16%	+31.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.81%	-66.75%	-0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.01%	-51.46%	+47.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.94%	-66.44%	+48.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.63%	7.36%	-1.73%

Volatility

XLE vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is 5.15%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 10.43%. This indicates that XLE 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

	XLE	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.15%	10.43%	-5.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.42%	24.87%	-8.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.90%	30.01%	-9.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.77%	27.94%	-2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.57%	27.45%	+2.12%

XLE vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLE has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than ICLN's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLE vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, more than ICLN's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.04%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.55%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLE and ICLN in my portfolio?

XLE and ICLN have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLE or ICLN?

ICLN has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to XLE (5.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLE dropped -71.26% vs ICLN's -87.15%.

Which ETF is better, XLE or ICLN?

On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 10.27% vs 8.54% for ICLN. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 5.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLE or ICLN?

Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLE or ICLN?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ICLN.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 1.04% for ICLN.

What is the main difference between XLE and ICLN?

XLE is categorized as Energy Equities, while ICLN is Alternative Energy Equities. XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index, while ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLE and 0.39% for ICLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.97), 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.