ECLN vs. NFRA

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

ECLN (First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF) and NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds. ECLN is actively managed, while NFRA is passively managed. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECLN charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for NFRA.

Performance

ECLN vs. NFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ECLN

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NFRA

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.71%
• 6M: 9.98%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 1Y: 14.15%
• 3Y*: 12.18%
• 5Y*: 6.05%
• 10Y*: 6.88%

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

ECLN vs. NFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	12.96%	16.78%	22.60%	-3.36%	5.28%	12.26%	8.98%	5.66%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	9.45%	18.42%	4.76%	8.96%	-10.11%	9.61%	2.24%	7.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ECLN and NFRA is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2019	0.74

The correlation between ECLN and NFRA shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ECLN vs. NFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECLN	NFRA
Utilities	76.4%	23.1%
Energy	16.3%	8.7%
Industrials	6.8%	32.2%
Technology	0.5%	1.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	25.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	4.9%

Return for Risk

ECLN vs. NFRA — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECLN

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

NFRA

NFRA Risk / Return Rank: 48
NFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
NFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
NFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 48
NFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
NFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. NFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). 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.

	ECLN	NFRA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.37	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.96	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.25	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.95	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.85	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	ECLN	NFRA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-32.49%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.28%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.75%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-1.68%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-4.51%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.42%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ECLN	NFRA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.07%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.55%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	10.40%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	12.97%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	14.87%	—

ECLN vs. NFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECLN has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than NFRA's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECLN vs. NFRA - Dividend Comparison

ECLN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	1.43%	1.97%	2.52%	2.54%	1.72%	1.66%	1.68%	0.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.65%	6.00%	3.33%	2.57%	2.28%	2.71%	2.22%	2.27%	3.06%	2.81%	2.98%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECLN and NFRA in my portfolio?

ECLN and NFRA have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ECLN or NFRA?

On fees, NFRA is cheaper at 0.47% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECLN or NFRA?

NFRA is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for ECLN.

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

NFRA has the higher dividend yield at 5.65%, compared with 1.43% for ECLN.

What is the main difference between ECLN and NFRA?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for ECLN and 0.47% for NFRA.