FAUG vs. QCLN

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN).

FAUG and QCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FAUG is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August. It was launched on Nov 6, 2019. 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. Both FAUG and QCLN are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FAUG vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FAUG vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	-2.20%	13.77%	14.55%	17.24%	-10.52%	11.54%	12.43%	2.37%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	4.23%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	10.81%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAUG achieves a -2.20% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 4.23% return.

FAUG

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: -2.96%
• YTD: -2.20%
• 6M: -0.24%
• 1Y: 13.84%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: —

QCLN

• 1D: 6.51%
• 1M: -3.99%
• YTD: 4.23%
• 6M: 10.87%
• 1Y: 62.76%
• 3Y*: -3.26%
• 5Y*: -7.25%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

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

FAUG vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

FAUG

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August

QCLN

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund

Return for Risk

FAUG vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAUG

FAUG Risk / Return Rank: 69
FAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 79

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 87
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FAUG vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) 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.

	FAUG	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.67	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	2.28	-0.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.28	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	3.81	-2.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.80	11.86	-3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAUG vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAUG and QCLN, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAUG	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.67	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	-0.19	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.14	+0.54

Correlation

The correlation between FAUG and QCLN is 0.66, 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

FAUG vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

FAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	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	0.22%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%

Drawdowns

FAUG vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAUG drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAUG and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAUG	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-76.18%	+53.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-16.18%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.91%	-69.49%	+53.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.48%	-46.16%	+42.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.90%	-43.54%	+40.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	5.20%	-3.58%

Volatility

FAUG vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) is 3.66%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 14.18%. This indicates that FAUG 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.

Volatility by Period

	FAUG	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	14.18%	-10.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.82%	27.32%	-21.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.24%	37.76%	-25.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.74%	37.87%	-27.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.88%	34.63%	-21.75%