ICLN vs IVV
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ICLN or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.9%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ICLN | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 152 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +4.55% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.30%Tie | +17.30%Tie |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.99% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.06% | +13.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.8% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -48.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,561 | $18,944Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.9% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2008 to Sep 22, 2026 (18.2 years).
ICLN vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 18.2 years both funds cover.
ICLN vs IVV Performance
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year ICLN returned +17.30% while IVV returned +17.30%. Year to date, ICLN is up 4.55% versus a gain of 14.14% for IVV.
Over three years, ICLN compounded at +7.99% per year against +23.04% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are -3.06% and +13.63% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +10.67% annualized vs -5.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.8% compared with 15.6% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -88.3% for ICLN and -48.4% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICLN charges 0.39% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $3 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICLN currently yields 1.06% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
8.4% of ICLN's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings ICLN also owns.
ICLN and IVV share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 490 in IVV, against full books of 152 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for ICLN (98.5% of the fund), and 13 for ICLN that do not appear in IVV (29.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ICLN and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ICLN or IVV?
ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.39% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICLN or IVV?
Over the past year ICLN returned +17.30% vs +17.30% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ICLN annualized -5.35% vs +10.67% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICLN or IVV?
ICLN has been the more volatile fund at 30.8% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: ICLN -88.3% vs IVV -48.4%.
Should I hold both ICLN and IVV?
ICLN and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ICLN and IVV?
8.4% of ICLN's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's is in holdings ICLN also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICLN or IVV?
ICLN yields 1.06% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than ICLN?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.