AMBA vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AMBA (Ambarella, Inc.) is a stock, while QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Over the past 10 years, AMBA returned 5.37%/yr vs 17.44%/yr for QCLN. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AMBA vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMBA achieves a 10.64% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 53.57% return. Over the past 10 years, AMBA has underperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 5.37%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively higher 17.44% annualized return.

AMBA

• 1D: 3.58%
• 1M: 9.53%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 10.25%
• 1Y: 47.44%
• 3Y*: 0.79%
• 5Y*: -4.64%
• 10Y*: 5.37%

QCLN

• 1D: 4.45%
• 1M: 15.68%
• YTD: 53.57%
• 6M: 53.62%
• 1Y: 130.32%
• 3Y*: 12.19%
• 5Y*: 2.59%
• 10Y*: 17.44%

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

AMBA vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMBA Ambarella, Inc.	10.64%	-2.61%	18.68%	-25.47%	-59.47%	120.96%	51.62%	73.13%	-40.46%	8.54%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	53.57%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%

Correlation

The correlation between AMBA and QCLN is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2012	0.56

The correlation between AMBA and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AMBA vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMBA

AMBA Risk / Return Rank: 62
AMBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
AMBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
AMBA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
AMBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
AMBA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 91
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

AMBA vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA) 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.

	AMBA	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	3.76	-3.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	4.06	-2.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.51	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	8.02	-7.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	27.70	-25.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMBA vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMBA Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMBA and QCLN, 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

	AMBA	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	3.76	-3.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.07	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10	0.50	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.20	+0.16

Drawdowns

AMBA vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMBA drawdown since its inception was -81.65%, which is greater than QCLN's maximum drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMBA and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMBA	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.65%	-76.18%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.06%	-15.86%	-33.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.85%	-56.08%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-81.65%	-69.49%	-12.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-81.65%	-71.73%	-9.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-63.85%	-20.66%	-43.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-48.36%	-43.45%	-4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.09%	4.59%	+18.50%

Volatility

AMBA vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA) has a higher volatility of 29.96% compared to First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) at 12.63%. This indicates that AMBA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMBA	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	29.96%	12.63%	+17.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.14%	26.18%	+19.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.25%	34.91%	+30.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.77%	37.98%	+24.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	56.60%	34.91%	+21.69%

Dividends

AMBA vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

AMBA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBA Ambarella, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.15%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMBA and QCLN in my portfolio?

AMBA and QCLN have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMBA or QCLN?

AMBA has higher volatility (29.96%) compared to QCLN (12.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMBA dropped -81.65% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 0.73), 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.