ICLN vs VXUS
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ICLN or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 152 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.14% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.88% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.14% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.68% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.4% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,291 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 23, 2026 (15.7 years).
ICLN vs VXUS 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
ICLN vs VXUS Performance
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICLN returned +15.88% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, ICLN is up 2.14% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, ICLN compounded at +7.14% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -3.68% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs +0.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.4% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -67.3% for ICLN and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICLN charges 0.39% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $5 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICLN currently yields 1.06% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.3% of ICLN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
64 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 152 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ICLN | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600900:SHChina Yangtze Power Co Ltd | 7.75% | 0.02% | 7.73% |
| VWS:COVestas Wind Systems A/S Shs New | 4.57% | 0.06% | 4.51% |
| EQTL3:BVEquatorial Energia Sa | 3.13% | 0.02% | 3.11% |
| EDP:PTEdp Group | 2.91% | 0.03% | 2.88% |
| 9502:JPChubu Electric Power Co. Inc. Com Stk | 2.67% | 0.03% | 2.64% |
| ENLT:ILEnlight Renewable Energy Ltd Ordinary Shares | 2.06% | 0.03% | 2.03% |
| ORSTED:COOrsted A/S | 1.57% | 0.02% | 1.55% |
| ENGI11:BVEnergisa Sa | 1.38% | 0.01% | 1.37% |
| 336260:KRDoosan Fuel Cell Co Ltd | 1.27% | 0.00% | 1.27% |
| 600905:SHChina Three Gorges Corporation | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
48.3% of ICLN is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ICLN or VXUS?
ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICLN or VXUS?
Over the past year ICLN returned +15.88% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ICLN annualized +0.99% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICLN or VXUS?
ICLN has been the more volatile fund at 27.4% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ICLN -67.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ICLN and VXUS?
ICLN and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 VXUS?
At least 48.3% of ICLN's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 64 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICLN or VXUS?
ICLN yields 1.06% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ICLN?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.