FSMB vs. QCLN
FSMB (First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FSMB is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. FSMB is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSMB returned 1.51%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for QCLN. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSMB charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.
Performance
FSMB vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSMB achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.94% return.
FSMB
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 1.15%
- 6M
- 1.51%
- 1Y
- 4.18%
- 3Y*
- 3.56%
- 5Y*
- 1.51%
- 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%
FSMB vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSMB First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF | 1.15% | 4.22% | 2.35% | 3.54% | -3.75% | 1.20% | 3.53% | 3.80% | 0.61% |
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% | -7.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSMB and QCLN is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 2018 | 0.09 |
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Return for Risk
FSMB vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
FSMB
QCLN
FSMB vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF (FSMB) 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.
| FSMB | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.63 | 1.48 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.26 | 7.62 | -4.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.17 | 26.28 | -15.11 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FSMB | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.99 | 3.49 | -0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 | 0.06 | +0.72 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.50 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.75 | 0.20 | +0.55 |
Drawdowns
FSMB vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSMB drawdown since its inception was -6.32%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSMB and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSMB | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.32% | -76.18% | +69.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.29% | -15.86% | +14.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.76% | -56.08% | +54.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.97% | -69.49% | +63.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.73% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -20.99% | +20.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.16% | -43.45% | +42.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.37% | 4.59% | -4.22% |
Volatility
FSMB vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF (FSMB) is 0.42%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.56%. This indicates that FSMB 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
| FSMB | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.42% | 12.56% | -12.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.02% | 26.02% | -25.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.40% | 34.88% | -33.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.96% | 37.97% | -36.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.92% | 34.91% | -31.99% |
FSMB vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSMB has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSMB vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
FSMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.14%, more than QCLN's 0.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSMB First Trust Short Duration Managed Municipal ETF | 3.14% | 3.09% | 2.88% | 2.40% | 1.47% | 1.20% | 1.79% | 2.27% | 0.19% | 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
FSMB and QCLN have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCLN has higher volatility (12.56%) compared to FSMB (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSMB dropped -6.32% vs QCLN's -76.18%.
On 5-year performance, QCLN leads with 2.16% vs 1.51% for FSMB. On fees, FSMB is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FSMB has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 2.16% return vs 1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FSMB is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QCLN.
FSMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.14%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.
FSMB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FSMB and 0.60% for QCLN.
QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 2.99), 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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