ICLN vs VYM
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ICLN or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ICLN led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 152 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.14% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.88%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.14% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.68% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -49.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,291 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.9% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2008 to Sep 23, 2026 (18.2 years).
ICLN vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICLN returned +15.88% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, ICLN is up 2.14% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, ICLN compounded at +7.14% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -3.68% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.09% annualized vs -5.47%.
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 14.7% for VYM. 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 -49.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICLN charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICLN currently yields 1.06% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.0% of ICLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
ICLN and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 152 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ICLN (97.0% of the fund), and 14 for ICLN that do not appear in VYM (35.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ICLN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWENClearway Energy, Inc., Class C | 1.96% | 0.02% | 1.94% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ICLN and VYM 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 VYM?
ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICLN or VYM?
Over the past year ICLN returned +15.88% vs +14.28% for VYM, so ICLN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ICLN annualized -5.47% vs +8.09% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICLN or VYM?
ICLN has been the more volatile fund at 30.8% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ICLN -88.3% vs VYM -49.5%.
Should I hold both ICLN and VYM?
ICLN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 VYM?
2.0% of ICLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings ICLN also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in ICLN and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICLN or VYM?
ICLN yields 1.06% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ICLN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ICLN led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.