GRID vs. QCLN

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN).

GRID and QCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GRID is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Nov 17, 2009. QCLN is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. It was launched on Feb 8, 2007. Both GRID and QCLN are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

GRID vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

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

GRID vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	9.08%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	5.17%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly higher than QCLN's 5.17% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed QCLN with an annualized return of 18.31%, while QCLN has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

GRID

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: -5.47%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.98%
• 1Y: 48.00%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 15.14%
• 10Y*: 18.31%

QCLN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -4.61%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 61.08%
• 3Y*: -2.97%
• 5Y*: -7.09%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

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

GRID vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

GRID

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index

QCLN

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund

Return for Risk

GRID vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 94
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 92
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 95

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 84
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

GRID vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) 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.

	GRID	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	1.63	+0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.23	+0.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.18	3.97	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.64	12.27	+3.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GRID vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is higher than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and QCLN, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GRID	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	1.63	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	-0.19	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.37	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.15	+0.38

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and QCLN is 0.67, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

GRID vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than QCLN's 0.21% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.90%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.21%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%

Drawdowns

GRID vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-76.18%	+35.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-16.18%	+4.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-69.49%	+39.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	-71.73%	+31.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.55%	-45.67%	+39.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-43.54%	+35.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	5.24%	-2.10%

Volatility

GRID vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) is 8.59%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 13.73%. This indicates that GRID 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.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	13.73%	-5.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.24%	27.33%	-13.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.49%	37.76%	-16.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	37.87%	-17.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	34.62%	-11.88%