QCLN vs. RL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy, while RL (Ralph Lauren Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QCLN returned 17.14%/yr vs 16.59%/yr for RL. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QCLN vs. RL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCLN achieves a 52.00% return, which is significantly higher than RL's 3.99% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QCLN having a 17.14% annualized return and RL not far behind at 16.59%.

QCLN

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 13.54%
• YTD: 52.00%
• 6M: 46.53%
• 1Y: 117.87%
• 3Y*: 12.00%
• 5Y*: 2.04%
• 10Y*: 17.14%

RL

• 1D: 2.03%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 3.99%
• 6M: 3.27%
• 1Y: 33.52%
• 3Y*: 50.45%
• 5Y*: 27.50%
• 10Y*: 16.59%

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

QCLN vs. RL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	52.00%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%
RL Ralph Lauren Corporation	3.99%	55.03%	62.85%	39.82%	-8.41%	16.66%	-10.63%	16.07%	1.82%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QCLN and RL is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2007	0.46

The correlation between QCLN and RL shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QCLN vs. RL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 89
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

RL

RL Risk / Return Rank: 72
RL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
RL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
RL Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

QCLN vs. RL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) and Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL). 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.

	QCLN	RL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	1.00	+2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	1.65	+2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.19	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.48	1.91	+5.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.77	6.10	+19.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCLN vs. RL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCLN Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is higher than the RL Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCLN and RL, 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

	QCLN	RL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	1.00	+2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.75	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.43	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.25	-0.05

Drawdowns

QCLN vs. RL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCLN drawdown since its inception was -76.18%, which is greater than RL's maximum drawdown of -68.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCLN and RL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCLN	RL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.18%	-68.62%	-7.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.86%	-17.67%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.08%	-36.18%	-19.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.49%	-36.51%	-32.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-71.73%	-55.14%	-16.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.47%	-5.85%	-15.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.44%	-24.13%	-19.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.59%	5.54%	-0.95%

Volatility

QCLN vs. RL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) is 12.57%, while Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) has a volatility of 16.63%. This indicates that QCLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCLN	RL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.57%	16.63%	-4.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.03%	26.60%	-0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.68%	33.73%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.96%	36.97%	+0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.90%	38.67%	-3.77%

Dividends

QCLN vs. RL - Dividend Comparison

QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than RL's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
RL Ralph Lauren Corporation	1.00%	1.01%	1.40%	2.08%	2.78%	1.74%	0.66%	2.29%	2.30%	1.93%	2.21%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCLN and RL in my portfolio?

QCLN and RL have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCLN or RL?

RL has higher volatility (16.63%) compared to QCLN (12.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCLN dropped -76.18% vs RL's -68.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.42 vs 1.00), 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.