CARZ vs. QCLN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

CARZ (First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - CARZ is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CARZ returned 14.32%/yr vs 13.08%/yr for QCLN. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CARZ charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

CARZ vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) 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, CARZ achieves a 31.11% return, which is significantly higher than QCLN's 10.48% return. Over the past 10 years, CARZ has outperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 14.32%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively lower 13.08% annualized return.

CARZ

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -7.17%
• 6M: 20.80%
• YTD: 31.11%
• 1Y: 66.56%
• 3Y*: 22.13%
• 5Y*: 12.78%
• 10Y*: 14.32%
• ALL TIME*: 10.15%

QCLN

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -13.14%
• 6M: 0.01%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 41.09%
• 3Y*: -2.29%
• 5Y*: -5.50%
• 10Y*: 13.08%
• ALL TIME*: 5.32%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	$535.60K	$505.64K	$494.01K
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	$12.39M	$13.63M	$14.46M

CARZ vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	31.11%	37.18%	3.26%	42.47%	-31.25%	18.09%	54.66%	11.39%	-23.91%	25.47%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	10.48%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%

Correlation

The correlation between CARZ and QCLN is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2011	0.66

The correlation between CARZ and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.84 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CARZ vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CARZ	QCLN
Technology	69.1%	43.0%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	14.2%
Industrials	6.4%	25.3%
Basic Materials	4.2%	8.0%
Communication Services	4.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	1.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	7.9%

Return for Risk

CARZ vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CARZ

CARZ Risk / Return Rank: 81
CARZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
CARZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
CARZ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
CARZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
CARZ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 39
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 38
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CARZ vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) 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.

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.

	CARZ	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	0.99	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	1.48	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.18	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	1.25	+1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	4.64	+6.30

CARZ vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CARZ Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CARZ 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.

Drawdowns

CARZ vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CARZ drawdown since its inception was -51.20%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CARZ and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	CARZ	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.20%	-76.18%	+24.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.44%	-32.12%	+10.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.84%	-50.96%	+23.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.30%	-69.49%	+29.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.20%	-71.73%	+20.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.07%	-42.92%	+25.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.87%	-43.36%	+30.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.83%	8.62%	-2.79%

Volatility

CARZ vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) is 12.06%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 15.14%. This indicates that CARZ 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.

Volatility by Period

	CARZ	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.06%	15.14%	-3.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.80%	33.63%	-5.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.88%	40.58%	-8.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.28%	38.97%	-9.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.77%	35.54%	-8.77%

CARZ vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

CARZ has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

CARZ vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

CARZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, more than QCLN's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	1.34%	2.13%	1.17%	1.40%	1.59%	2.25%	0.63%	3.23%	2.85%	2.11%	2.47%	1.64%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.17%	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 CARZ and QCLN in my portfolio?

CARZ and QCLN have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CARZ or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to CARZ (12.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CARZ dropped -51.20% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, CARZ or QCLN?

On 10-year performance, CARZ leads with 14.32% vs 13.08% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, CARZ has been the lower-risk option at 12.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CARZ or QCLN?

Over the 10-year period, CARZ has performed better with a 14.32% return vs 13.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CARZ or QCLN?

QCLN is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for CARZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CARZ or QCLN?

CARZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 0.17% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between CARZ and QCLN?

CARZ is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. CARZ tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while QCLN tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for CARZ and 0.59% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CARZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.99), 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.