ICLN vs VTI
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ICLN or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ICLN led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 152 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.20% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.31%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.91% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.91% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.8% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -49.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,192 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.2 years).
ICLN vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICLN returned +25.31% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, ICLN is up 4.20% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, ICLN compounded at +5.91% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -3.91% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.54% annualized vs -5.38%.
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 16.1% for VTI. 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 -49.1% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICLN charges 0.39% per year while VTI 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 1.04% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 36.8% of ICLN's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 105 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 152 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ICLN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BECfd Bloom Energy Corp- A | 14.66% | 0.11% | 14.55% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 8.47% | 0.03% | 8.44% |
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 7.21% | 0.02% | 7.19% |
| PLUGPlug Power Inc | 2.84% | 0.00% | 2.84% |
| SHLSShoals Technologies Group Inc Cl A | 1.37% | 0.00% | 1.37% |
| TET1 Energy Inc | 1.36% | 0.00% | 1.36% |
| GPREGreen Plains Renewable Energy Inc | 0.85% | 0.00% | 0.85% |
36.8% of ICLN is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ICLN or VTI?
ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICLN or VTI?
Over the past year ICLN returned +25.31% vs +20.00% for VTI, so ICLN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ICLN annualized -5.38% vs +10.54% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICLN or VTI?
ICLN has been the more volatile fund at 30.8% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ICLN -88.3% vs VTI -49.1%.
Should I hold both ICLN and VTI?
ICLN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 VTI?
At least 36.8% of ICLN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 105 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICLN or VTI?
ICLN yields 1.04% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ICLN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ICLN led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.