FTHI vs. QCLN
FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTHI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. FTHI is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTHI returned 8.66%/yr vs 16.79%/yr for QCLN. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTHI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.
Performance
FTHI vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTHI achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 37.20% return. Over the past 10 years, FTHI has underperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 8.66%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively higher 16.79% annualized return.
FTHI
- 1D
- -0.71%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- YTD
- 4.88%
- 6M
- 4.13%
- 1Y
- 15.40%
- 3Y*
- 14.28%
- 5Y*
- 10.33%
- 10Y*
- 8.66%
QCLN
- 1D
- -6.27%
- 1M
- -3.52%
- YTD
- 37.20%
- 6M
- 31.57%
- 1Y
- 92.03%
- 3Y*
- 8.84%
- 5Y*
- -1.13%
- 10Y*
- 16.79%
FTHI vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 4.88% | 11.03% | 19.02% | 20.72% | -4.37% | 13.95% | -7.13% | 18.16% | -9.72% | 14.41% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 37.20% | 31.81% | -18.86% | -10.02% | -30.37% | -3.21% | 184.00% | 42.65% | -12.38% | 32.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTHI and QCLN is 0.65, 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 | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014 | 0.54 |
The correlation between FTHI and QCLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (all time) to 0.65 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTHI vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
FTHI
QCLN
FTHI vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) 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.
| FTHI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.37 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.83 | 5.64 | -2.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.09 | 18.14 | -6.05 |
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Drawdowns
FTHI vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTHI drawdown since its inception was -32.65%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHI and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTHI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.65% | -76.18% | +43.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.47% | -16.40% | +10.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.92% | -56.08% | +40.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.70% | -69.49% | +52.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.65% | -71.73% | +39.08% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.71% | -29.12% | +28.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -43.40% | +39.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.28% | 5.09% | -3.81% |
Volatility
FTHI vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) is 2.70%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 17.77%. This indicates that FTHI 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
| FTHI | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.70% | 17.77% | -15.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.32% | 29.96% | -22.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.08% | 37.45% | -28.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.43% | 38.54% | -25.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.29% | 35.21% | -20.92% |
FTHI vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTHI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTHI vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
FTHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.72%, more than QCLN's 0.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 8.72% | 8.70% | 8.61% | 8.50% | 9.06% | 4.37% | 4.76% | 4.21% | 4.76% | 4.00% | 4.41% | 4.98% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 0.16% | 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
FTHI and QCLN have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCLN has higher volatility (17.77%) compared to FTHI (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHI dropped -32.65% vs QCLN's -76.18%.
On 10-year performance, QCLN leads with 16.79% vs 8.66% for FTHI. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FTHI has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 16.79% return vs 8.66%. 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 0.85% for FTHI.
FTHI has the higher dividend yield at 8.72%, compared with 0.16% for QCLN.
FTHI is categorized as Derivative Income, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FTHI and 0.59% for QCLN.
QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.
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