LEGR vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LEGR (First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - LEGR is a Blockchain fund tracking the Indxx Blockchain 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, LEGR returned 11.82%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for QCLN. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEGR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

LEGR vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) 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, LEGR achieves a 12.39% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.94% return.

LEGR

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: 7.23%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 15.64%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 23.83%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 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)

LEGR vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LEGR First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF	12.39%	30.83%	16.25%	22.79%	-19.01%	17.91%	18.73%	27.99%	-14.11%
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%	-15.13%

Correlation

The correlation between LEGR and QCLN is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2018	0.67

The correlation between LEGR and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

LEGR vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LEGR	QCLN
Financial Services	42.5%	1.9%
Technology	27.3%	20.8%
Communication Services	8.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	9.4%
Industrials	5.6%	30.2%
Utilities	2.1%	13.2%
Basic Materials	1.6%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Healthcare	1.3%	-
Energy	0.8%	13.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

LEGR vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

LEGR

LEGR Risk / Return Rank: 64
LEGR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
LEGR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
LEGR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
LEGR Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
LEGR Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

LEGR vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) 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.

	LEGR	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	3.49	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	3.86	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.48	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	7.62	-4.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.21	26.28	-15.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LEGR vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LEGR Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LEGR 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

	LEGR	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	3.49	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.06	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.20	+0.40

Drawdowns

LEGR vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LEGR drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEGR and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	LEGR	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-76.18%	+40.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-15.86%	+5.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.25%	-56.08%	+41.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.45%	-69.49%	+38.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.50%	-20.99%	+19.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-43.45%	+36.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	4.59%	-1.85%

Volatility

LEGR vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) is 4.93%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.56%. This indicates that LEGR 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

	LEGR	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	12.56%	-7.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	26.02%	-14.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.62%	34.88%	-21.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	37.97%	-21.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.31%	34.91%	-14.60%

LEGR vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

LEGR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

LEGR vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

LEGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, more than QCLN's 0.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LEGR First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF	1.67%	1.84%	2.40%	2.56%	2.64%	1.80%	0.95%	2.04%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	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 LEGR and QCLN in my portfolio?

LEGR and QCLN have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LEGR or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (12.56%) compared to LEGR (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEGR dropped -36.12% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, LEGR or QCLN?

On 5-year performance, LEGR leads with 11.82% vs 2.16% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, LEGR has been the lower-risk option at 4.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LEGR or QCLN?

Over the 5-year period, LEGR has performed better with a 11.82% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LEGR or QCLN?

QCLN is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LEGR.

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

LEGR has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between LEGR and QCLN?

LEGR is categorized as Blockchain, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. LEGR tracks Indxx Blockchain Index, while QCLN tracks NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LEGR and 0.60% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 2.26), 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.