FIXD vs. QCLN
FIXD (First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FIXD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. FIXD is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FIXD returned -0.25%/yr vs -1.37%/yr for QCLN. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FIXD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.
Performance
FIXD vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FIXD achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 36.32% return.
FIXD
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.64%
- 1Y
- 4.72%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- -0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
QCLN
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- -8.53%
- YTD
- 36.32%
- 6M
- 30.31%
- 1Y
- 88.28%
- 3Y*
- 8.60%
- 5Y*
- -1.37%
- 10Y*
- 17.11%
FIXD vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIXD First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF | 0.84% | 7.95% | 0.75% | 5.72% | -15.00% | -1.07% | 8.99% | 10.56% | -0.00% | 3.40% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 36.32% | 31.81% | -18.86% | -10.02% | -30.37% | -3.21% | 184.00% | 42.65% | -12.38% | 23.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between FIXD and QCLN is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2017 | 0.06 |
The correlation between FIXD and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (all time) to 0.22 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FIXD vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
FIXD
QCLN
FIXD vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) 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.
| FIXD | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.36 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 5.41 | -3.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.19 | 17.06 | -12.86 |
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Drawdowns
FIXD vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FIXD drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIXD and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FIXD | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.44% | -76.18% | +55.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.21% | -16.40% | +13.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.97% | -56.08% | +49.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.44% | -69.49% | +49.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.73% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | -29.57% | +26.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.48% | -43.39% | +37.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 5.19% | -4.06% |
Volatility
FIXD vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) is 1.23%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 16.90%. This indicates that FIXD 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
| FIXD | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.23% | 16.90% | -15.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.23% | 29.83% | -26.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.14% | 37.44% | -33.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.60% | 38.54% | -31.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.83% | 35.20% | -29.37% |
FIXD vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
FIXD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
FIXD vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
FIXD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, more than QCLN's 0.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIXD First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF | 5.06% | 4.50% | 4.56% | 3.93% | 3.07% | 1.74% | 3.14% | 5.10% | 2.81% | 1.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 0.17% | 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
FIXD and QCLN have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCLN has higher volatility (16.90%) compared to FIXD (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIXD dropped -20.44% vs QCLN's -76.18%.
On 5-year performance, FIXD leads with -0.25% vs -1.37% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FIXD has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FIXD has performed better with a -0.25% return vs -1.37%. 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 FIXD.
FIXD has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 0.17% for QCLN.
FIXD is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FIXD and 0.59% for QCLN.
QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.14), 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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