FAI vs. QCLN
FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FAI returned 47.82% vs 58.46% for QCLN. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.
Performance
FAI vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAI achieves a 27.54% return, which is significantly higher than QCLN's 23.13% return.
FAI
- 1D
- 2.01%
- 1M
- -0.37%
- 6M
- 24.40%
- YTD
- 27.54%
- 1Y
- 47.82%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QCLN
- 1D
- 2.48%
- 1M
- -10.72%
- 6M
- 10.90%
- YTD
- 23.13%
- 1Y
- 58.46%
- 3Y*
- 0.71%
- 5Y*
- -2.30%
- 10Y*
- 14.65%
FAI vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 27.54% | 33.37% | 2.28% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 23.13% | 31.81% | 1.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAI and QCLN is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024 | 0.68 |
The correlation between FAI and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FAI vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
FAI
QCLN
FAI vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) 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.
| FAI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.25 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.55 | 2.70 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.44 | 9.17 | -1.74 |
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Drawdowns
FAI vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAI drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAI and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.82% | -76.18% | +48.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.84% | -21.76% | +2.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -56.08% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -69.49% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.73% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.41% | -36.39% | +26.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.50% | -43.37% | +37.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.45% | 6.39% | +0.06% |
Volatility
FAI vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) is 11.44%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 16.59%. This indicates that FAI 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FAI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.44% | 16.59% | -5.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.79% | 32.11% | -8.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.22% | 39.26% | -11.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 31.18% | 38.83% | -7.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.18% | 35.39% | -4.21% |
FAI vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAI vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 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 | 0.15% | 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
FAI and QCLN have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCLN has higher volatility (16.59%) compared to FAI (11.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAI dropped -27.82% vs QCLN's -76.18%.
On 1-year performance, QCLN leads with 58.46% vs 47.82% for FAI. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 11.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 58.46% return vs 47.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QCLN is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.
QCLN has the higher dividend yield at 0.15%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.
FAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while QCLN tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FAI and 0.59% for QCLN.
FAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.50), 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.
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