FAN vs. CTEC
FAN (First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF) and CTEC (Global X CleanTech ETF) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - FAN tracks the ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index while CTEC tracks the Indxx Global CleanTech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAN returned 4.21%/yr vs -7.77%/yr for CTEC. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAN charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for CTEC.
Performance
FAN vs. CTEC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAN achieves a 20.47% return, which is significantly lower than CTEC's 22.71% return.
FAN
- 1D
- -2.65%
- 1M
- -5.81%
- YTD
- 20.47%
- 6M
- 20.15%
- 1Y
- 38.86%
- 3Y*
- 14.67%
- 5Y*
- 4.21%
- 10Y*
- 9.88%
CTEC
- 1D
- -6.61%
- 1M
- -11.86%
- YTD
- 22.71%
- 6M
- 19.40%
- 1Y
- 97.04%
- 3Y*
- -1.56%
- 5Y*
- -7.77%
- 10Y*
- —
FAN vs. CTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 20.47% | 40.38% | -8.96% | -3.20% | -13.12% | -11.63% | 31.57% |
CTEC Global X CleanTech ETF | 22.71% | 57.85% | -36.35% | -25.60% | -16.82% | -22.19% | 44.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAN and CTEC is 0.65, 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 | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2020 | 0.71 |
The correlation between FAN and CTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.
FAN vs. CTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FAN
CTEC
Utilities
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
FAN
CTEC
Industrials
FAN
CTEC
Consumer Cyclical
FAN
CTEC
Energy
FAN
CTEC
Basic Materials
FAN
CTEC
Communication Services
FAN
-
CTEC
-
Consumer Defensive
FAN
-
CTEC
-
Financial Services
FAN
-
CTEC
-
Healthcare
FAN
-
CTEC
-
Real Estate
FAN
-
CTEC
-
Technology
FAN
-
CTEC
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Return for Risk
FAN vs. CTEC — Risk / Return Rank
FAN
CTEC
FAN vs. CTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Global X CleanTech ETF (CTEC). 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.
| FAN | CTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.39 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.51 | 5.03 | -1.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.64 | 13.11 | -1.47 |
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Drawdowns
FAN vs. CTEC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAN drawdown since its inception was -79.94%, roughly equal to the maximum CTEC drawdown of -81.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAN and CTEC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAN | CTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.94% | -81.58% | +1.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.13% | -19.39% | +8.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -65.77% | +41.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.45% | -76.46% | +38.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.29% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.44% | -53.45% | +44.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -45.08% | -52.35% | +7.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.35% | 7.43% | -4.08% |
Volatility
FAN vs. CTEC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) is 6.87%, while Global X CleanTech ETF (CTEC) has a volatility of 16.15%. This indicates that FAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAN | CTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.87% | 16.15% | -9.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.93% | 27.21% | -11.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.41% | 37.40% | -16.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.42% | 36.94% | -15.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 38.09% | -17.13% |
FAN vs. CTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAN has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than CTEC's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAN vs. CTEC - Dividend Comparison
FAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than CTEC's 0.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTEC Global X CleanTech ETF | 0.61% | 0.75% | 1.56% | 0.51% | 0.25% | 0.39% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 1.03% | 1.35% | 1.52% | 1.71% | 1.50% | 1.79% | 0.84% | 2.42% | 2.67% | 2.59% | 6.04% | 2.35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAN and CTEC have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CTEC has higher volatility (16.15%) compared to FAN (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAN dropped -79.94% vs CTEC's -81.58%.
On 5-year performance, FAN leads with 4.21% vs -7.77% for CTEC. On fees, CTEC is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FAN has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FAN has performed better with a 4.21% return vs -7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
CTEC is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FAN.
FAN has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.61% for CTEC.
FAN tracks ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while CTEC tracks Indxx Global CleanTech Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FAN and 0.50% for CTEC.
CTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.91), 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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