“Go Green” in 2021 with this Alternative-Energy Fund

For investors looking to “go green,” the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NASDAQ:ICLN) may be a fund worth looking into. The fund, which was created in 2008, tracks a market-cap-weighted index of the 30 most liquid companies involved in businesses related to clean energy.

In this fund, “clean energy” is defined as companies involved in biofuels, ethanol, geothermal, hydroelectric and solar and wind industries. Not only does this portfolio consist of companies that produce energy in such a manner, but it also includes the companies that develop the technology and equipment used in the process.

ICLN has holdings that are both domestic and international, which gives investors access to clean-energy stocks around the world. Though this ETF may not be a core holding for most, it may be considered a savvy satellite holding, as it covers a corner of the market likely to do well during a green-energy-friendly Biden administration. With a new administration poised to reign in 2021, alternative energy stocks are gaining traction, as the coming year may be more focused on clean and renewable energy resources versus coal and oil.

For investors seeking more targeted exposure within the clean energy sector, ICLN provides multiple options for delving more deeply into renewable energy.

[Revolutionary:  New Battery Tech Expected to Create an Energy Market Surge of 20,300%]

ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.46% and a dividend yield of 0.69%. It has $2.59 billion in assets under management and total net assets of $1.96 billion. More impressively, the fund’s year-to-date (YTD) daily total return is 92.13%.

(source: stockcharts.com)

Unlike many big-name funds, ICLN has seen a gradual increase in both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages year to date. However, much like all other sectors, the fund saw a huge drop in mid-March, courtesy of COVID-19. Since that drop, it’s seen a great upward trend, surpassing its all-time high of $14.23 in February. As of today, it’s hit a new all-time high of $22.89 — a nice Thanksgiving bounty.

[Breakthrough:  Ride Energy Market From a $250 Billion Niche Into a $51 TRILLION Industry]

ICLN’s holdings are primarily in three sectors: 52.33% in Utilities, 28.71% in Technology and 16.45% in Industrials. Its top five holdings include First Solar Inc. (FSLR), 5.28%; Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd. (00968), 5.04%; Orsted A/S (ORSTED), 4.86%; Contact Energy Ltd. (CEN.NZ), 4.82% and Meridian Energy Ltd. (MEL.NZ), 4.82%.

In sum, the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NASDAQ:ICLN) may be an interesting option for investors looking to expand their secondary holdings and break into the clean-energy space. With a portfolio made up of not only companies using alternative energy sources, but also the companies working to develop the technology and equipment to harness it, there is a plethora of alternative-energy stock options, both domestic and international.

However, investors should always do their due diligence to determine if an ETF is appropriate for their portfolio strategy.

[This Tech Will Mint More New Millionaires than Crypto, Pot Stocks and FAANG… COMBINED!]

Read more from Jim Woods at StockInvestor.com

Don’t Stop Here

More To Explore

The Hottest Graphene Stocks To Watch In 2025

Forbes predicts this may be the next “multibillion-dollar material”… while Bloomberg says “this material will change the world”. The biggest technological advances in the future

Top Graphene Stocks For 2025

Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, surpassing traditional materials like silicon, and it possesses exceptional mechanical strength, being hundreds of times stronger