AFLG vs. QCLN
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN).
AFLG and QCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AFLG is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity Index. It was launched on Dec 3, 2019. QCLN is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. It was launched on Feb 8, 2007. Both AFLG and QCLN are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
AFLG vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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AFLG vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF | -0.38% | 14.23% | 27.02% | 20.10% | -16.41% | 27.29% | 10.31% | 2.77% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 5.17% | 31.81% | -18.86% | -10.02% | -30.37% | -3.21% | 184.00% | 8.49% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AFLG achieves a -0.38% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 5.17% return.
AFLG
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- -3.71%
- YTD
- -0.38%
- 6M
- 0.50%
- 1Y
- 16.01%
- 3Y*
- 18.54%
- 5Y*
- 11.32%
- 10Y*
- —
QCLN
- 1D
- 0.90%
- 1M
- -4.61%
- YTD
- 5.17%
- 6M
- 8.63%
- 1Y
- 61.08%
- 3Y*
- -2.97%
- 5Y*
- -7.09%
- 10Y*
- 12.87%
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AFLG vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
AFLG has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
AFLG vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
AFLG
QCLN
AFLG vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN). 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.
| AFLG | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.93 | 1.63 | -0.70 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.40 | 2.23 | -0.83 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.27 | -0.06 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.34 | 3.97 | -2.63 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.40 | 12.27 | -5.86 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| AFLG | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.93 | 1.63 | -0.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 | -0.19 | +0.91 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.37 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.64 | 0.15 | +0.50 |
Correlation
The correlation between AFLG and QCLN is 0.67, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
AFLG vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
AFLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, more than QCLN's 0.21% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFLG First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF | 0.79% | 0.84% | 0.53% | 1.53% | 1.52% | 0.93% | 1.28% | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 0.21% | 0.25% | 0.87% | 0.76% | 0.33% | 0.01% | 0.30% | 0.85% | 1.03% | 0.45% | 1.24% | 0.72% |
Drawdowns
AFLG vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AFLG drawdown since its inception was -35.84%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFLG and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AFLG | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.84% | -76.18% | +40.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.21% | -16.18% | +3.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.48% | -69.49% | +46.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.73% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.79% | -45.67% | +40.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.85% | -43.54% | +37.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.56% | 5.24% | -2.68% |
Volatility
AFLG vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is 5.14%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 13.73%. This indicates that AFLG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AFLG | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.14% | 13.73% | -8.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.18% | 27.33% | -18.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.34% | 37.76% | -20.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.85% | 37.87% | -22.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.36% | 34.62% | -15.26% |