ECLN vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECLN (First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF) is Utilities Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while ^GSPC (S&P 500 Index) is an index. Over the past 5 years, ECLN returned 11.85%/yr vs 12.30%/yr for ^GSPC. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECLN achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's 10.35% return.

ECLN

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -2.95%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 19.15%
• 3Y*: 17.15%
• 5Y*: 11.85%
• 10Y*: —

^GSPC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 12.30%
• 10Y*: 13.66%

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

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	12.15%	16.78%	22.60%	-3.36%	5.28%	12.26%	8.98%	5.66%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	10.35%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	11.39%

Correlation

The correlation between ECLN and ^GSPC is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2019	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between ECLN and ^GSPC has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ECLN vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECLN

ECLN Risk / Return Rank: 59
ECLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ECLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ECLN Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ECLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ECLN Martin Ratio Rank: 59

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 73
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	ECLN	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.24	-0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	3.07	-0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	2.93	+0.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.36	13.52	-3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECLN and ^GSPC, 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

	ECLN	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.24	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.73	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.47	+0.20

Drawdowns

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECLN drawdown since its inception was -32.28%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECLN and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECLN	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.28%	-56.78%	+24.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.02%	-9.10%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-18.90%	+4.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.88%	-25.43%	+5.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-0.74%	-2.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-10.72%	+5.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	1.97%	-0.11%

Volatility

ECLN vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) has a higher volatility of 3.85% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 2.93%. This indicates that ECLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECLN	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	2.93%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	8.99%	-0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.51%	11.89%	-1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.22%	16.90%	-2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.41%	18.06%	-0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECLN and ^GSPC in my portfolio?

ECLN and ^GSPC have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ECLN or ^GSPC?

ECLN has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to ^GSPC (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECLN dropped -32.28% vs ^GSPC's -56.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^GSPC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.83), 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.