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FTXN vs. QCLN
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FTXN vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXN is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXN returned 15.78%/yr vs -1.13%/yr for QCLN. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTXN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

FTXN vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXN achieves a 23.36% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 37.20% return.

FTXN

1D
0.53%
1M
-8.34%
YTD
23.36%
6M
24.04%
1Y
26.63%
3Y*
13.55%
5Y*
15.78%
10Y*
—

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

FTXN vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FTXN
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF		23.36%-0.17%4.06%4.91%47.45%69.21%-28.10%3.20%-20.99%-2.29%
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 FTXN 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

0.23

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.30

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016

0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between FTXN and QCLN has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTXN vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FTXN
QCLN

Energy

100.0%
0.1%

Basic Materials

-

7.8%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

10.2%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

1.4%

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

24.8%

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

47.6%

Utilities

-

8.1%

Energy

FTXN
100.0%
QCLN
0.1%

Basic Materials

FTXN

-

QCLN
7.8%

Communication Services

FTXN

-

QCLN

-

Consumer Cyclical

FTXN

-

QCLN
10.2%

Consumer Defensive

FTXN

-

QCLN

-

Financial Services

FTXN

-

QCLN
1.4%

Healthcare

FTXN

-

QCLN

-

Industrials

FTXN

-

QCLN
24.8%

Real Estate

FTXN

-

QCLN

-

Technology

FTXN

-

QCLN
47.6%

Utilities

FTXN

-

QCLN
8.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund

Often compared with FTXN:
FTXN vs. QQQMFTXN vs. XLEFTXN vs. VDEFTXN vs. VTIFTXN vs. PXEFTXN vs. FSPGXFTXN vs. AMLP
Often compared with QCLN:
QCLN vs. ICLNQCLN vs. TANQCLN vs. PBWQCLN vs. GRIDQCLN vs. ACESQCLN vs. CNRGQCLN vs. DRIV

Return for Risk

FTXN vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FTXN
FTXN Risk / Return Rank: 3333
Overall Rank
FTXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3434
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 3232
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXN Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXN Martin Ratio Rank: 3434
Martin Ratio Rank
QCLN
QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FTXN vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) 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.

FTXNQCLNDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.15
2.47

-1.32

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.62
2.90

-1.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.37

-0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.70

5.64

-3.94

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.89

18.14

-13.25

FTXN vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXN Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXN 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.

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Drawdowns

FTXN vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXN drawdown since its inception was -73.49%, roughly equal to the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXN and QCLN.

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Drawdown Indicators

FTXNQCLNDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.49%

-76.18%

+2.69%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.74%

-16.40%

+0.66%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.96%

-56.08%

+29.12%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.97%

-69.49%

+39.52%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-71.73%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-13.90%

-29.12%

+15.22%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.19%

-43.40%

+24.21%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.46%

5.09%

+0.37%

Volatility

FTXN vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) is 7.94%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 17.77%. This indicates that FTXN 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

FTXNQCLNDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.94%

17.77%

-9.83%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.16%

29.96%

-11.80%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

23.41%

37.45%

-14.04%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.67%

38.54%

-8.87%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.78%

35.21%

-3.43%

FTXN vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXN vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

FTXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.20%, more than QCLN's 0.16% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXN
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF		2.20%2.83%2.51%3.41%2.26%1.04%1.76%2.72%2.16%1.78%0.20%0.00%
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

FTXN 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 (17.77%) compared to FTXN (7.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXN dropped -73.49% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

On 5-year performance, FTXN leads with 15.78% vs -1.13% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FTXN has been the lower-risk option at 7.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, FTXN has performed better with a 15.78% return vs -1.13%. 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 0.60% for FTXN.

FTXN has the higher dividend yield at 2.20%, compared with 0.16% for QCLN.

FTXN is categorized as Energy Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. FTXN tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while QCLN tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXN and 0.59% for QCLN.

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.15), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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