FTXL vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor 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, FTXL returned 34.63%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for QCLN. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTXL vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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, FTXL achieves a 115.70% return, which is significantly higher than QCLN's 52.94% return.

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 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)

FTXL vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%
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 FTXL and QCLN is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.70

The correlation between FTXL and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXL vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXL	QCLN
Technology	99.5%	20.8%
Industrials	0.5%	30.2%
Basic Materials	-	9.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	13.2%
Financial Services	-	1.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	13.2%

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

FTXL vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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.

	FTXL	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	3.49	+2.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	3.86	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.48	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	7.62	+8.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	26.28	+32.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXL vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 6.33, which is higher than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL 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

	FTXL	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	3.49	+2.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	0.06	+0.91
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.20	+0.73

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-76.18%	+32.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-15.86%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.57%	-56.08%	+14.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-69.49%	+25.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-20.99%	+20.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.56%	-43.45%	+32.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	4.59%	-0.71%

Volatility

FTXL vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 14.28% compared to First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) at 12.56%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	12.56%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	26.02%	+2.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	34.88%	+1.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	37.97%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	34.91%	-0.66%

FTXL vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTXL and QCLN have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FTXL vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than QCLN's 0.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%	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 FTXL and QCLN in my portfolio?

FTXL and QCLN have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXL or QCLN?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to QCLN (12.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or QCLN?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 2.16% for QCLN. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, QCLN has been the lower-risk option at 12.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXL or QCLN?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or QCLN?

FTXL and QCLN have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

QCLN has the higher dividend yield at 0.15%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTXL and QCLN?

FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while QCLN tracks NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 3.49), 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.