As of Sept. 18, 2026, Vanguard's VDE returned 46.8% over a year, versus 18.5% for iShares' ICLN. VDE holds U.S. oil and gas firms; ICLN targets global clean energy. Over five years, ICLN's maximum drawdown was 57.2%, against 26.6% for VDE.
VDE's expense ratio is 0.09%, compared with 0.38% for ICLN; their stated dividend yields are 2.3% and 1.0%, respectively. In the article's five-year total-return comparison, $1,000 grew to $3,085 in VDE, while ICLN's value was $833.
VDE holds 112 energy stocks, led by ExxonMobil (21.90%), Chevron (14.08%) and ConocoPhillips (6.01%), which together account for about 42% of the fund. ICLN holds 105 stocks, concentrated in utilities (41%), technology (32%) and industrials (25%); its largest positions are Bloom Energy (9.06%) and First Solar (7.58%). The article attributes VDE's nearly 50% one-year return partly to the U.S. war with Iran and says ICLN's share price fell in 2026 amid Trump administration policies it describes as unfavorable to renewables.
