FPXE vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPXE (First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FPXE is a Europe Equities fund tracking the IPOX 100 Europe Index, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPXE returned 5.11%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for QCLN. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPXE charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

FPXE vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) 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, FPXE achieves a 14.30% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.94% return.

FPXE

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 7.42%
• YTD: 14.30%
• 6M: 16.85%
• 1Y: 20.71%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: —

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)

FPXE vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	14.30%	24.46%	16.31%	14.45%	-35.13%	9.00%	35.00%	34.55%	-14.93%
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%	-6.64%

Correlation

The correlation between FPXE and QCLN is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2018	0.58

The correlation between FPXE and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.63 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FPXE vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPXE	QCLN
Industrials	24.6%	30.2%
Healthcare	19.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	9.4%
Technology	12.5%	20.8%
Financial Services	11.5%	1.9%
Basic Materials	8.2%	9.4%
Communication Services	2.6%	-
Utilities	2.6%	13.2%
Energy	2.0%	13.2%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

FPXE vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPXE

FPXE Risk / Return Rank: 34
FPXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FPXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FPXE Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FPXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FPXE Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

FPXE vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FPXE	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	3.49	-2.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	3.86	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.48	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	7.62	-5.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	26.28	-20.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPXE vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPXE Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPXE 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

	FPXE	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	3.49	-2.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.06	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.20	+0.25

Drawdowns

FPXE vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPXE drawdown since its inception was -49.55%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPXE and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPXE	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.55%	-76.18%	+26.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-15.86%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.28%	-56.08%	+36.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.55%	-69.49%	+19.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-20.99%	+19.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.69%	-43.45%	+28.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	4.59%	-0.97%

Volatility

FPXE vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) is 6.87%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.56%. This indicates that FPXE 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

	FPXE	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	12.56%	-5.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.69%	26.02%	-10.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.23%	34.88%	-16.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.71%	37.97%	-16.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	34.91%	-12.75%

FPXE vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPXE has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPXE vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

FPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than QCLN's 0.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	1.01%	1.15%	2.10%	2.03%	1.81%	0.47%	1.35%	2.06%	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

Can I hold both FPXE and QCLN in my portfolio?

FPXE and QCLN have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPXE or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (12.56%) compared to FPXE (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPXE dropped -49.55% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, FPXE or QCLN?

On 5-year performance, FPXE leads with 5.11% vs 2.16% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FPXE has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPXE or QCLN?

Over the 5-year period, FPXE has performed better with a 5.11% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPXE or QCLN?

QCLN is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FPXE.

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

FPXE has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between FPXE and QCLN?

FPXE is categorized as Europe Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. FPXE tracks IPOX 100 Europe Index, while QCLN tracks NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FPXE and 0.60% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 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.