ESBG vs. QCLN

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN).

ESBG and QCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ESBG is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Nov 19, 2025. QCLN is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. It was launched on Feb 8, 2007.

Performance

ESBG vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ESBG vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	2.00%	5.72%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	5.17%	4.19%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESBG achieves a 2.00% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 5.17% return.

ESBG

• 1D: 1.58%
• 1M: -11.95%
• YTD: 2.00%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QCLN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -4.61%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 61.08%
• 3Y*: -2.97%
• 5Y*: -7.09%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

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

ESBG vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESBG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

ESBG

First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF

QCLN

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund

Return for Risk

ESBG vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 84
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
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.

ESBG vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESBG	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.15	+0.71

Correlation

The correlation between ESBG and QCLN is 0.53, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

ESBG vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

ESBG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, more than QCLN's 0.21% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	0.59%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.21%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%

Drawdowns

ESBG vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESBG drawdown since its inception was -18.84%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESBG and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESBG	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.84%	-76.18%	+57.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-16.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-69.49%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.50%	-45.67%	+32.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.28%	-43.54%	+39.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.24%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESBG	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	13.73%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	27.33%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.69%	37.76%	-10.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.69%	37.87%	-10.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.69%	34.62%	-6.93%