COST vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) 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, COST returned 22.27%/yr vs 16.43%/yr for QCLN. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

COST vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) 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, COST achieves a 14.24% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 37.91% return. Over the past 10 years, COST has outperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 22.27%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively lower 16.43% annualized return.

COST

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -5.66%
• YTD: 14.24%
• 6M: 11.38%
• 1Y: -0.24%
• 3Y*: 25.12%
• 5Y*: 22.12%
• 10Y*: 22.27%

QCLN

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: -2.49%
• YTD: 37.91%
• 6M: 35.67%
• 1Y: 90.42%
• 3Y*: 6.19%
• 5Y*: -0.62%
• 10Y*: 16.43%

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

COST vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	14.24%	-5.39%	39.62%	49.00%	-19.05%	51.82%	32.67%	45.70%	10.60%	22.37%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	37.91%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%

Correlation

The correlation between COST and QCLN is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2007	0.34

The correlation between COST and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

COST vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

COST

COST Risk / Return Rank: 37
COST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
COST Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
COST Omega Ratio Rank: 32
COST Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
COST Martin Ratio Rank: 39

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 83
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

COST vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) 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.

	COST	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.08	2.46	-2.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	2.89	-2.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.37	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.10	5.51	-5.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.22	18.21	-18.43

COST vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COST Sharpe Ratio is -0.08, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COST 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

COST vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COST drawdown since its inception was -53.39%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COST and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	COST	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.39%	-76.18%	+22.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.14%	-16.40%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	-56.08%	+35.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.40%	-69.49%	+38.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.40%	-71.73%	+40.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.23%	-28.75%	+18.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.36%	-43.42%	+30.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.67%	4.95%	+1.72%

Volatility

COST vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is 7.44%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 16.96%. This indicates that COST 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

	COST	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.44%	16.96%	-9.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.53%	28.95%	-14.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.80%	36.71%	-17.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.72%	38.33%	-15.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.95%	35.10%	-13.15%

Dividends

COST vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

COST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, more than QCLN's 0.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	0.55%	0.59%	0.49%	2.87%	0.76%	0.54%	3.38%	0.86%	1.08%	4.81%	1.09%	4.06%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.16%	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 COST and QCLN in my portfolio?

COST and QCLN have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COST or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (16.96%) compared to COST (7.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COST dropped -53.39% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs -0.08), 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.