- ISIN
- US33733E5006
- CUSIP
- 33733E500
- Issuer
- First Trust
- Inception Date
- Feb 8, 2007
- Region
- North America (U.S.)
- Category
- Alternative Energy Equities
- Leveraged
- 1x (No leverage)
- Index Tracked
- Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index
- Domicile
- United States
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Asset Class Size
- Multi-Cap
- Asset Class Style
- Blend
- Assets Under Management
- $880M
Share Price Chart
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Performance
QCLN Performance Chart
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) is up 46.4% since the beginning of the year. QCLN is currently trading at $65 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of QCLN shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,012.
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Returns By Period
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has returned 46.37% so far this year and 106.69% over the past 12 months. Looking at the last ten years, QCLN has achieved an annualized return of 17.54%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% per year.
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund
- 1D
- 1.59%
- 1M
- 2.93%
- YTD
- 46.37%
- 6M
- 38.49%
- 1Y
- 106.69%
- 3Y*
- 11.22%
- 5Y*
- 0.23%
- 10Y*
- 17.54%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
QCLN Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Feb 14, 2007, QCLN's average daily return is +0.05%, while the average monthly return is +1.02%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 5.7 years.
Historically, 55% of months were positive and 45% were negative. The best month was Nov 2020 with a return of +33.8%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -33.5%. The longest winning streak lasted 10 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.
On a daily basis, QCLN closed higher 52% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 13, 2008 with a return of +16.1%, while the worst single day was Oct 15, 2008 at -14.3%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10.47% | -1.73% | -3.99% | 26.21% | 13.06% | -1.58% | 46.37% | ||||||
| 2025 | -1.18% | -9.39% | -5.73% | -3.04% | 8.86% | 8.27% | 7.95% | 7.42% | 10.77% | 10.87% | -2.36% | -1.73% | 31.81% |
| 2024 | -17.69% | 1.27% | -1.34% | -6.75% | 16.82% | -9.52% | 7.67% | -3.69% | 2.04% | -7.69% | 7.30% | -4.50% | -18.86% |
| 2023 | 18.61% | -3.95% | -2.74% | -13.92% | 6.76% | 6.94% | 6.67% | -12.88% | -10.27% | -21.25% | 9.03% | 15.44% | -10.02% |
| 2022 | -15.98% | 4.57% | 8.20% | -19.19% | 6.80% | -6.38% | 19.41% | 2.84% | -11.04% | -1.05% | 4.43% | -19.70% | -30.37% |
| 2021 | 13.73% | -8.46% | -6.17% | -5.47% | -3.64% | 10.77% | -3.54% | 0.34% | -6.55% | 23.66% | -0.39% | -11.85% | -3.21% |
Benchmark Metrics
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund has an annualized alpha of -1.16%, beta of 1.35, and R2 of 0.57 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since February 14, 2007.
- This ETF captured 147.82% of S&P 500 Index gains and 144.06% of its losses - amplifying both gains and losses, but participating more in upside than downside.
- Alpha
- -1.16%
- Beta
- 1.35
- R²
- 0.57
- Upside Capture
- 147.82%
- Downside Capture
- 144.06%
Expense Ratio
QCLN has an expense ratio of 0.59%, placing it in the medium range.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
QCLN ranks 85 for risk / return — in the top 85% of ETFs on our site. This means strong returns relative to risk — exactly what professional investors look for. Well-suited for investors who want to maximize return per unit of risk.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| QCLN | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.88 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.53 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.37 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.54 | 2.78 | +3.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.21 | 12.44 | +8.77 |
Dividends
Dividend History
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund provided a 0.15% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.10 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.10 | $0.11 | $0.30 | $0.32 | $0.15 | $0.01 | $0.21 | $0.21 | $0.18 | $0.09 | $0.19 | $0.12 |
Dividend yield | 0.15% | 0.25% | 0.87% | 0.76% | 0.33% | 0.01% | 0.30% | 0.85% | 1.03% | 0.45% | 1.24% | 0.72% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.02 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.02 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.04 | $0.11 |
| 2024 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.18 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.08 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.04 | $0.30 |
| 2023 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.05 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.16 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.08 | $0.32 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.06 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.09 | $0.15 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund was 76.18%, occurring on Nov 20, 2008. Recovery took 2828 trading sessions.
The current First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund drawdown is 24.38%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -76.18%Nov 2008 | 10mo 23d | 11y 3mo | 12y 1moJan 2008 - Feb 2020 |
2025 selloff2025 | -71.73%Apr 2025 | 4y 1mo | — | 5y 4moFeb 2021 - now |
COVID crash2020 | -45.03%Mar 2020 | 26d | 3mo 20d | 4mo 16dFeb 2020 - Jul 2020 |
2007 correction2007 | -14.52%Aug 2007 | 1mo 1d | 1mo 17d | 2mo 18dJul 2007 - Oct 2007 |
2020 correction2020 | -13.10%Sep 2020 | 6d | 22d | 28dSep 2020 - Sep 2020 |
Drawdown Indicators
| QCLN | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.18% | -56.78% | -19.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.40% | -9.10% | -7.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -56.08% | -18.90% | -37.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -69.49% | -25.43% | -44.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -71.73% | -33.92% | -37.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.38% | -1.80% | -22.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.40% | -10.71% | -32.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.05% | 2.03% | +3.02% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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