FPX vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPX (First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FPX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IPOX-100 U.S. Index, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FPX returned 14.65%/yr vs 17.39%/yr for QCLN. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

FPX vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPX achieves a 18.28% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.94% return. Over the past 10 years, FPX has underperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 14.65%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively higher 17.39% annualized return.

FPX

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 4.63%
• YTD: 18.28%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 39.24%
• 3Y*: 32.32%
• 5Y*: 10.31%
• 10Y*: 14.65%

QCLN

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 16.40%
• YTD: 52.94%
• 6M: 50.79%
• 1Y: 120.21%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: 2.16%
• 10Y*: 17.39%

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

FPX vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPX First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF	18.28%	37.62%	24.75%	22.26%	-35.11%	3.69%	47.89%	30.37%	-8.35%	27.03%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	52.94%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FPX and QCLN is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2007	0.73

The correlation between FPX and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

FPX vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPX	QCLN
Technology	29.8%	20.8%
Industrials	20.0%	30.2%
Healthcare	16.1%	-
Communication Services	7.0%	-
Utilities	6.5%	13.2%
Energy	4.4%	13.2%
Real Estate	4.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	9.4%
Basic Materials	3.3%	9.4%
Financial Services	3.0%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	-

Return for Risk

FPX vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPX

FPX Risk / Return Rank: 52
FPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FPX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FPX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 89
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

FPX vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) 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.

	FPX	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	3.49	-1.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	3.86	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.48	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	7.62	-4.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.40	26.28	-15.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPX vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPX and QCLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FPX	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	3.49	-1.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.06	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.50	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.20	+0.37

Drawdowns

FPX vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPX drawdown since its inception was -56.29%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPX and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPX	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.29%	-76.18%	+19.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.28%	-15.86%	+3.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.88%	-56.08%	+25.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.14%	-69.49%	+26.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.14%	-71.73%	+28.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-20.99%	+20.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-43.45%	+32.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	4.59%	-0.81%

Volatility

FPX vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) is 6.22%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.56%. This indicates that FPX 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

	FPX	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	12.56%	-6.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.11%	26.02%	-8.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.10%	34.88%	-11.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.49%	37.97%	-11.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.28%	34.91%	-10.63%

FPX vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPX vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

FPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, more than QCLN's 0.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPX First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF	0.49%	0.53%	0.09%	0.27%	1.08%	0.14%	0.28%	0.67%	0.88%	0.68%	0.77%	0.62%
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

Can I hold both FPX and QCLN in my portfolio?

FPX and QCLN have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPX or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (12.56%) compared to FPX (6.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPX dropped -56.29% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, FPX or QCLN?

On 10-year performance, QCLN leads with 17.39% vs 14.65% for FPX. On fees, FPX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, FPX has been the lower-risk option at 6.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPX or QCLN?

Over the 10-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 17.39% return vs 14.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPX or QCLN?

FPX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QCLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPX or QCLN?

FPX has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between FPX and QCLN?

FPX is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. FPX tracks IPOX-100 U.S. Index, while QCLN tracks NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FPX and 0.60% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 1.71), 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.