ACES vs. VCLN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) and VCLN (Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACES is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while VCLN is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. ACES is passively managed, while VCLN is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ACES returned -0.25%/yr vs 21.09%/yr for VCLN. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACES charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for VCLN.

Performance

ACES vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACES achieves a 32.49% return, which is significantly lower than VCLN's 40.79% return.

ACES

• 1D: 2.95%
• 1M: 20.25%
• YTD: 32.49%
• 6M: 32.78%
• 1Y: 80.47%
• 3Y*: -0.25%
• 5Y*: -8.07%
• 10Y*: —

VCLN

• 1D: 3.22%
• 1M: 12.15%
• YTD: 40.79%
• 6M: 38.86%
• 1Y: 100.35%
• 3Y*: 21.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACES vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	32.49%	25.44%	-26.71%	-20.04%	-28.44%	-10.48%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	40.79%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ACES and VCLN is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2021	0.80

Over the past year, the correlation between ACES and VCLN has dropped to 0.59 - well below their long-term average of 0.80, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ACES vs. VCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACES	VCLN
Utilities	25.5%	39.8%
Technology	24.8%	22.4%
Industrials	20.3%	36.7%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Basic Materials	9.3%	-
Financial Services	5.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	-
Energy	0.5%	1.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ACES vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACES

ACES Risk / Return Rank: 69
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 91
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACES vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACES	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	3.46	-0.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	4.19	-1.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.53	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	7.88	-3.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	29.93	-18.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACES vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACES Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACES and VCLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACES	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	3.46	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.22	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.31	-0.08

Drawdowns

ACES vs. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACES drawdown since its inception was -79.05%, which is greater than VCLN's maximum drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACES and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACES	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.05%	-45.66%	-33.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.44%	-12.58%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.68%	-29.25%	-29.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.14%	0.00%	-55.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.86%	-24.11%	-14.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.91%	3.31%	+3.60%

Volatility

ACES vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) has a higher volatility of 9.41% compared to Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) at 8.92%. This indicates that ACES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACES	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.41%	8.92%	+0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.55%	20.08%	+2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.32%	29.20%	+3.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.15%	27.44%	+8.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.58%	27.44%	+8.14%

ACES vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACES has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACES vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than VCLN's 1.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.53%	0.70%	1.10%	1.44%	1.08%	0.71%	0.56%	1.79%	0.34%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.43%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACES and VCLN in my portfolio?

ACES and VCLN have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACES or VCLN?

ACES has higher volatility (9.41%) compared to VCLN (8.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACES dropped -79.05% vs VCLN's -45.66%.

Which ETF is better, ACES or VCLN?

On 3-year performance, VCLN leads with 21.09% vs -0.25% for ACES. On fees, ACES is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, VCLN has been the lower-risk option at 8.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACES or VCLN?

Over the 3-year period, VCLN has performed better with a 21.09% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACES or VCLN?

ACES is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for VCLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACES or VCLN?

VCLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 0.53% for ACES.

What is the main difference between ACES and VCLN?

ACES is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VCLN is Sustainable. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ACES and 0.59% for VCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 2.51), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.