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IEO vs IYE
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) vs. iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE)
Key Takeaways
- Different scope: IEO is a concentrated, pure-play exploration-and-production (E&P) and refining fund, while IYE is a broader U.S. energy fund spanning integrated majors, oilfield services, and midstream.
- Concentration profile: IEO is dominated by COP and refiners, whereas IYE is anchored by the mega-cap integrated majors XOM and CVX.
- Cost structure: Both funds carry effectively identical expense ratios, so cost is not a differentiating factor in this ETF comparison.
- Risk exposure: IEO offers higher-beta, more commodity-sensitive exposure, while IYE provides broader diversification with lower single-theme concentration.
- Liquidity: IYE generally trades with greater average daily volume and a tighter bid/ask spread than IEO.
Introduction
Investors evaluating U.S. energy exposure often weigh two iShares products that sound similar but behave differently: the iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) and the iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE). While both are passively managed funds from BlackRock that draw from the same sector, they occupy distinct niches. IEO targets the exploration, production, and refining sub-segments, while IYE captures the full breadth of the U.S. energy value chain, including integrated majors and energy infrastructure. This ETF comparison clarifies their structural differences, sector exposure, relative positioning, and fund performance drivers so investors can choose the vehicle that best matches their risk appetite.
iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) Overview
Launched in May 2006, IEO seeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, a free-float adjusted, market-capitalization-weighted benchmark. The fund is non-diversified and uses a representative sampling strategy, investing at least 80% of its assets in index components. It typically holds roughly 45 to 50 securities, with a net expense ratio of approximately 0.37%.
The portfolio is heavily concentrated in top names. COP (ConocoPhillips) is the largest holding at roughly 17–20% of assets, followed by refiners MPC (Marathon Petroleum), VLO (Valero Energy), and PSX (Phillips 66). Additional positions include EOG, DVN, FANG (Diamondback Energy), EQT, and EXE (Expand Energy). Notably, oil and gas refining, marketing, and transportation account for nearly 40% of assets, meaning the fund blends upstream E&P with downstream refining exposure.
iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) Overview
Incepted in June 2000, IYE tracks the Russell 1000 Energy RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, a market-cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap U.S. energy companies with concentration caps applied to the largest constituents. The fund is non-diversified and holds roughly 40 to 45 securities, with a net expense ratio of approximately 0.37%.
The portfolio is anchored by the integrated supermajors: XOM (ExxonMobil) at roughly 23% and CVX (Chevron) at about 16%. The remaining top holdings include COP, refiners MPC, VLO, and PSX, plus midstream operator WMB, EOG, oilfield services leader SLB, and pipeline company KMI (Kinder Morgan). This composition provides diversified exposure across integrated, upstream, downstream, oilfield services, and midstream segments.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both funds operate within a U.S. energy sector shaped by several durable themes. Oil and natural gas price levels remain central, driven by global supply-demand balances, OPEC+ production decisions, and geopolitical disruptions to shipping and output. U.S. producers continue to prioritize capital discipline, free cash flow generation, and shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks rather than aggressive drilling growth. Consolidation through mergers and acquisitions (M&A, or the combining of companies) has reshaped the E&P landscape, concentrating upstream exposure in a smaller group of larger operators. Meanwhile, refining margins and midstream volumes respond to seasonal demand and export capacity. Broader macro forces—interest-rate expectations, inflation, and the energy transition—also influence capital allocation and valuation multiples across the sector.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
Over recent weeks and recent market cycles, both funds have generally benefited from firm commodity prices and healthy corporate earnings, but their relative positioning differs meaningfully. IEO's heavier weighting toward refiners and pure-play E&P names tends to produce higher volatility and more direct sensitivity to crude oil and refining margins. IYE, by contrast, is anchored by mega-cap integrated majors whose diversified business models—spanning upstream, refining, chemicals, and trading—can cushion earnings during commodity downturns and provide steadier cash flows. Consequently, IYE has historically exhibited somewhat lower volatility than IEO. In environments where oil prices rally sharply, IEO's concentrated exposure may outperform; in rangebound or risk-off markets, IYE's broader diversification and lower concentration risk can support more stable relative positioning. Liquidity also favors IYE, which typically trades at a tighter bid/ask spread.
AI Screener
Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool designed to help traders and investors filter the market using technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs with customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps surface trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to refine your energy-sector research.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor IYE for broad, diversified energy exposure. Its mega-cap anchors, broader value-chain coverage, capping mechanism, and stronger liquidity profile offer a more balanced risk-return trade-off with lower single-theme concentration than IEO. For investors specifically seeking higher-beta, pure-play E&P and refining exposure, however, IEO remains a structurally appropriate tactical vehicle. The AI would emphasize that cost efficiency is effectively equal between the two funds, making diversification and trend consistency the primary differentiators in this ETF comparison.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is IEO is a Hold and IYE is a Hold.
Momentum Indicator for IEO turns negative, indicating new downward trend
IEO saw its Momentum Indicator move below the 0 level on October 27, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new downward move. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 80 similar instances where the indicator turned negative. In 71 of the 80 cases, the stock moved further down in the following days. The odds of a decline are at 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for IEO moved out of overbought territory on October 27, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 42 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 37 of the 42 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 88%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for IEO turned negative on October 28, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 42 of the 50 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 84%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IEO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 82%.
IEO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 50 of 57 cases where IEO's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
IEO moved above its 50-day moving average on October 01, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.23% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IEO advanced for three days, in 349 of 385 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 286 of 326 cases where IEO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 88%.
IYE's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for IYE turned positive on October 08, 2026. Looking at past instances where IYE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 47 of 50 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 05, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on IYE as a result. In 77 of 88 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
IYE moved above its 50-day moving average on October 01, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +2.37% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IYE advanced for three days, in 338 of 372 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 296 of 333 cases where IYE Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 89%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
IYE broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 30, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
| IEO | IYE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 85% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 88% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 84% | 2 days ago 90% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 89% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 88% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 82% | N/A |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 83% | 2 days ago 84% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 89% |
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IEO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IEO has been closely correlated with EOG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IEO jumps, then EOG could also see price increases.
IYE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IYE has been closely correlated with CVX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IYE jumps, then CVX could also see price increases.
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