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State Street Energy ETF weighs lower fees and higher yield vs ICLN

XLE charges 0.08% annually and distributes a 2.6% trailing-12-month dividend yield, while ICLN charges 0.39% and holds 105 companies across utilities, industrials, and technology.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 · Written up by our desk · ETFs

Investors comparing traditional energy exposure to clean energy may want to look at State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) versus iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN), as the two products take very different portfolio approaches despite both targeting the energy theme, according to Yahoo Finance. XLE tracks large-cap energy companies within the S&P 500, while ICLN focuses on global firms that produce power from renewable sources such as solar and wind.

The cost and income profiles differ sharply. XLE sports an expense ratio of 0.08%, nearly five times lower than ICLN’s 0.39%, and XLE’s trailing-12-month dividend yield is 2.6%, versus ICLN’s different distribution profile. The funds also vary in scale, with XLE at $39.5 billion in assets under management, compared with ICLN at $2.4 billion.

Holdings and concentration are also distinct. XLE holds 21 companies with full exposure to the energy sector, led by ExxonMobil at 20.3%, Chevron at 14.4%, and ConocoPhillips at 5.9%. ICLN holds 105 companies across multiple sectors, including technology at 34%, utilities at 33%, and industrials at 31%, with top positions including Bloom Energy at 14.8%, First Solar at 8.4%, and Nextpower at 7.3%.

The two ETFs are designed to deliver different return drivers. Yahoo Finance notes that XLE was launched in 1998 to mirror the Energy Select Sector Index’s price appreciation and dividend income, while ICLN uses an ESG screen and aims to reflect global sustainable power solutions.

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