Is CLNE a good ETF?
CLNE is the VanEck Global Clean Energy ETF from VanEck. We classify it under Intl and Thematic. With about $79 million in assets it is a relatively small fund (worth checking spreads and liquidity before buying).
On a total-return basis, CLNE has delivered -2.43% a year over 5 years (ranked 184th of 188 ETFs we track), 0.98% a year over 3 years (ranked 219th of 226 ETFs we track), and 31.55% a year over 1 year (ranked 26th of 308 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 1 year, where it sits in the top 8% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.65% is on the higher side. For comparison, similar ETFs average around 0.46%. It pays a low 0.82% yield, so most of its return must come from capital growth.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been high (annualised standard deviation around 26.24%), meaning a bumpy ride with deep drawdowns. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.14 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Strengths
- Top-8% returns over 1 year (26th of 308 ETFs we track).
Things to watch
- Has lagged most peers over 5 years (184th of 188).
- Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.46%.
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (5-year Sharpe ratio 0.14).
- High volatility (26.24% over 5 years) — expect deep drawdowns.
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
Good to know
- Low 0.82% yield — this is a growth-oriented fund, not an income play.
What CLNE's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.