ECLN vs. GABF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECLN (First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF) and GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ECLN is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ECLN returned 17.15%/yr vs 20.47%/yr for GABF. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECLN charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GABF.

Performance

ECLN vs. GABF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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 GABF's -7.03% return.

ECLN

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

GABF

• 1D: -1.89%
• 1M: -3.11%
• YTD: -7.03%
• 6M: -6.24%
• 1Y: -3.20%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ECLN vs. GABF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	12.15%	16.78%	22.60%	-3.36%	4.64%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-7.03%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between ECLN and GABF is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2022	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between ECLN and GABF has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ECLN vs. GABF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECLN	GABF
Utilities	76.4%	-
Energy	16.3%	-
Industrials	6.8%	4.6%
Technology	0.5%	4.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	84.6%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	6.0%

Return for Risk

ECLN vs. GABF — 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

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. GABF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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	GABF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	-0.19	+2.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	-0.13	+2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	0.98	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	-0.19	+4.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.36	-0.44	+10.80
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. GABF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the GABF Sharpe Ratio of -0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECLN and GABF, 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	GABF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	-0.19	+2.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.87	-0.20

Drawdowns

ECLN vs. GABF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECLN drawdown since its inception was -32.28%, which is greater than GABF's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECLN and GABF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECLN	GABF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.28%	-20.86%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.02%	-17.16%	+12.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-20.86%	+6.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-11.60%	+7.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-4.86%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	7.27%	-5.41%

Volatility

ECLN vs. GABF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) is 3.85%, while Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) has a volatility of 4.28%. This indicates that ECLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECLN	GABF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	4.28%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	13.14%	-4.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.51%	17.37%	-6.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.22%	20.54%	-6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.41%	20.54%	-3.13%

ECLN vs. GABF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECLN has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than GABF's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECLN vs. GABF - Dividend Comparison

ECLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than GABF's 2.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	1.83%	1.97%	2.52%	2.54%	1.72%	1.66%	1.68%	0.71%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.11%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECLN and GABF in my portfolio?

ECLN and GABF have a correlation of 0.28, 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 GABF?

GABF has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to ECLN (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECLN dropped -32.28% vs GABF's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, ECLN or GABF?

On 3-year performance, GABF leads with 20.47% vs 17.15% for ECLN. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, ECLN has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECLN or GABF?

Over the 3-year period, GABF has performed better with a 20.47% return vs 17.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECLN or GABF?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for ECLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ECLN or GABF?

GABF has the higher dividend yield at 2.11%, compared with 1.83% for ECLN.

What is the main difference between ECLN and GABF?

ECLN is categorized as Utilities Equities, while GABF is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for ECLN and 0.10% for GABF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.19), 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.