ILDR vs. QCLN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ILDR is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. ILDR is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ILDR returned 10.56%/yr vs -5.50%/yr for QCLN. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ILDR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

ILDR vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ILDR having a 10.34% return and QCLN slightly higher at 10.48%.

ILDR

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: -4.81%
• 6M: 10.66%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 1Y: 22.56%
• 3Y*: 24.57%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.99%

QCLN

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -13.14%
• 6M: 0.01%
• YTD: 10.48%
• 1Y: 41.09%
• 3Y*: -2.29%
• 5Y*: -5.50%
• 10Y*: 13.08%
• ALL TIME*: 5.32%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	$1.72M	$2.15M	$1.99M
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	$12.39M	$13.63M	$14.46M

ILDR vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	10.34%	29.22%	29.31%	39.34%	-34.95%	7.57%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	10.48%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	13.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ILDR and QCLN is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.74

The correlation between ILDR and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILDR vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILDR	QCLN
Technology	37.8%	43.0%
Healthcare	13.4%	-
Industrials	13.4%	25.3%
Utilities	7.3%	7.9%
Communication Services	6.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	14.2%
Financial Services	4.9%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.2%	8.0%
Energy	1.2%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ILDR vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 33
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 31
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 39
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 38
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ILDR vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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.

	ILDR	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	0.99	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	1.48	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	1.25	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.28	4.64	-1.36

ILDR vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILDR Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is comparable to the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILDR 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.

Drawdowns

ILDR vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILDR drawdown since its inception was -44.61%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILDR and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILDR	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.61%	-76.18%	+31.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-32.12%	+14.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-50.96%	+24.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.61%	-69.49%	+24.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.21%	-42.92%	+32.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.71%	-43.36%	+28.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	8.62%	-2.61%

Volatility

ILDR vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is 8.29%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 15.14%. This indicates that ILDR 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

	ILDR	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.29%	15.14%	-6.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.87%	33.63%	-13.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.43%	40.58%	-16.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.62%	38.97%	-12.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.27%	35.54%	-9.27%

ILDR vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILDR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILDR vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

ILDR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.17%	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 ILDR and QCLN in my portfolio?

ILDR and QCLN have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILDR or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to ILDR (8.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILDR dropped -44.61% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, ILDR or QCLN?

On 5-year performance, ILDR leads with 10.56% vs -5.50% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, ILDR has been the lower-risk option at 8.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILDR or QCLN?

Over the 5-year period, ILDR has performed better with a 10.56% return vs -5.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILDR or QCLN?

QCLN is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.

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

QCLN has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.

What is the main difference between ILDR and QCLN?

ILDR is categorized as Technology Equities, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ILDR and 0.59% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.99 vs 0.81), 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.