What Is the IXC ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs
A passive ETF that holds large-cap global energy stocks by market capitalization weight. It combines major energy companies from the US, Europe and Canada.
SubscribeWhat Is This ETF?
The fund tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy 4.5/22.5/45 Capped Index and holds large energy companies from around the world, including the US, UK, France and Canada, on a market-cap-weighted basis. Major global oil and gas companies such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell and TotalEnergies are among its top holdings.
It suits investors who want to diversify across global large-cap energy stocks rather than concentrate on the US alone.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF launched by BlackRock (iShares) in 2001.
How Does It Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | S&P Global 1200 Energy 4.5/22.5/45 Capped Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Quarterly |
| Dividend Frequency | Semiannual |
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% |
The fund holds the constituents of the S&P Global 1200 Energy sector index at their market-cap weights, tracking the performance of the global energy sector as a whole. A cap on individual holding weights (the capped index structure) reduces concentration in any single stock, and the fund holds energy companies from the US, Europe and Canada together.
- Simultaneous exposure to global energy majors in Europe, Canada and elsewhere outside the US
- The capped index structure prevents over-concentration in a single stock
Size and Costs
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $3.5B, and the expense ratio is 0.37% per year.
Its fee is on the higher side compared with US energy ETFs such as XLE and VDE, but it stands out by offering simultaneous exposure to European majors like Shell, TotalEnergies and BP, which XLE and VDE do not hold.
Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe global energy sector is highly volatile because it moves with crude oil and natural gas prices. Even amid the debate over the energy transition, it tends to perform relatively well in periods when the traditional majors remain profitable.
Fund flows are influenced by the outlook for global energy demand, commodity price cycles and the strength of the US dollar. Because the fund holds European energy companies, it also carries exposure to currency fluctuations.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Diversified global energy exposure is its core strength, while a higher fee than US-focused energy ETFs and currency fluctuations are the main considerations.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products
IXN, EUFN, IXJ, PICK and EXI shown in the table are global technology, financial, healthcare, materials and industrial sector ETFs, respectively, each representing a sector other than energy. Direct alternatives within the energy sector include XLE and VDE, which hold only US energy companies and suit investors who want lower fees and concentrated US exposure. For a lower-cost, US-focused alternative, FENY is also worth considering. Investors wanting a leveraged bet on the direction of the energy sector can look at ERX, and those needing the opposite bet can look at ERY.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 IXN | iShares Global Tech ETF | $139.08 | +1.5% | $9.0B | 0.37% | 0.25% | +30.2% |
 IXJ | iShares Global Healthcare ETF | $109.35 | -0.1% | $4.5B | 0.38% | 1.32% | +18.0% |
 EUFN | iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF | $37.97 | +0.7% | $3.0B | 0.48% | 4.35% | +13.2% |
 PICK | iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF | $55.18 | +0.5% | $2.2B | 0.39% | 2.39% | +20.0% |
 EXI | iShares Global Industrials ETF | $186.57 | +1.1% | $1.4B | 0.38% | 1.14% | +6.5% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XOM | ExxonMobil Holdings Corp | 0.36% | $184.54 | +0.7% | $758.8B | 23.8 | 2.25% |
| CVX | Chevron Corp | 0.20% | $232.01 | -0.5% | $458.4B | 22.2 | 3.08% |
 SHEH | Shell plc ADRhedged | 0.07% | $77.76 | -1.0% | $0.0M | - | 1.57% |
| SHEL | Shell Plc ADR | 0.07% | $106.91 | -1.2% | $303.9B | 11.8 | 2.93% |
| TTE | TotalEnergies SE | 0.10% | $93.76 | +1.1% | $208.5B | 11.6 | 4.27% |
| COP | Conoco Phillips | 0.08% | $151.37 | +0.4% | $181.8B | 20.1 | 2.23% |
Investor Checkpoints
Here are the key points to review before investing in IXC. If your goal is diversified global energy exposure, it is wise to understand its fees, currency exposure and commodity price sensitivity in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Compare the expense ratio with US-focused energy ETFs | Relatively high |
| 🌍 Regional Diversification | Check the weight of European and Canadian energy companies outside the US | Globally diversified holdings |
| 💱 Currency | Check exposure to multiple currencies such as the US dollar, euro and Canadian dollar | Unhedged |
| ⛽ Commodity Link | Check how the portfolio correlates with crude oil and gas price cycles | High correlation |
The commodity price cycle is the key driver of returns, and investors should consider the possibility that stronger energy transition policies could change the long-term business environment for the holdings as a whole. Currency fluctuations from multi-currency exposure are an additional risk factor.
This ETF suits investors who want to diversify across the global energy sector as a whole. Its fee is higher than US-only energy ETFs, but its broad regional diversification, which extends to European and Canadian majors, is its differentiating point.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
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