GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GCLX.L (Invesco Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF Acc) and QCLN.L (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy UCITS ETF Acc) are both Energy Equities funds tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy TR USD, from Invesco and First Trust respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GCLX.L returned -3.55%/yr vs 2.45%/yr for QCLN.L. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Invesco Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF Acc (GCLX.L) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy UCITS ETF Acc (QCLN.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCLX.L achieves a 36.06% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN.L's 50.74% return.

GCLX.L

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 36.06%
• 6M: 36.43%
• 1Y: 88.67%
• 3Y*: 5.24%
• 5Y*: -3.55%
• 10Y*: —

QCLN.L

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 15.04%
• YTD: 50.74%
• 6M: 46.10%
• 1Y: 117.65%
• 3Y*: 8.19%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GCLX.L Invesco Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF Acc	36.06%	32.48%	-25.40%	-15.38%	-22.45%	-19.67%
QCLN.L First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy UCITS ETF Acc	50.74%	20.09%	-17.94%	-12.66%	-23.26%	-6.54%

Correlation

The correlation between GCLX.L and QCLN.L is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.88

The correlation between GCLX.L and QCLN.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GCLX.L	QCLN.L
Industrials	47.5%	28.6%
Utilities	16.1%	5.2%
Energy	13.6%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.8%
Technology	6.8%	46.8%
Basic Materials	3.4%	6.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	-
Financial Services	0.9%	2.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCLX.L

GCLX.L Risk / Return Rank: 95
GCLX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
GCLX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
GCLX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 94
GCLX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GCLX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 94

QCLN.L

QCLN.L Risk / Return Rank: 90
QCLN.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QCLN.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QCLN.L Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QCLN.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
QCLN.L Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF Acc (GCLX.L) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy UCITS ETF Acc (QCLN.L). 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.

	GCLX.L	QCLN.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.21	3.44	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.95	4.03	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.47	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.26	7.96	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.52	25.08	+2.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCLX.L Sharpe Ratio is 4.21, which is comparable to the QCLN.L Sharpe Ratio of 3.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCLX.L and QCLN.L, 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

	GCLX.L	QCLN.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.21	3.44	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.07	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.24	-0.10	-0.14

Drawdowns

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCLX.L drawdown since its inception was -69.45%, roughly equal to the maximum QCLN.L drawdown of -69.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCLX.L and QCLN.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCLX.L	QCLN.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.45%	-69.87%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-14.69%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.84%	-56.66%	+3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.40%	-68.64%	+0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.12%	-21.08%	-8.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.37%	-40.89%	+0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.21%	4.67%	-1.46%

Volatility

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF Acc (GCLX.L) is 8.47%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy UCITS ETF Acc (QCLN.L) has a volatility of 14.86%. This indicates that GCLX.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QCLN.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCLX.L	QCLN.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	14.86%	-6.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.49%	24.36%	-9.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.98%	34.07%	-13.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.59%	35.87%	-10.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.20%	36.95%	-10.75%

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GCLX.L and QCLN.L have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

GCLX.L vs. QCLN.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither GCLX.L nor QCLN.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCLX.L and QCLN.L in my portfolio?

GCLX.L and QCLN.L have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GCLX.L or QCLN.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCLX.L or QCLN.L?

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

What is the main difference between GCLX.L and QCLN.L?

Both ETFs track S&P Global Clean Energy TR USD. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust.