QCLN vs. SAIA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy, while SAIA (Saia, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QCLN returned 16.43%/yr vs 34.25%/yr for SAIA. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QCLN vs. SAIA - 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 Saia, Inc. (SAIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCLN achieves a 37.91% return, which is significantly lower than SAIA's 47.88% return. Over the past 10 years, QCLN has underperformed SAIA with an annualized return of 16.43%, while SAIA has yielded a comparatively higher 34.25% annualized return.

QCLN

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: -2.49%
• YTD: 37.91%
• 6M: 35.67%
• 1Y: 90.42%
• 3Y*: 6.19%
• 5Y*: -0.62%
• 10Y*: 16.43%

SAIA

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 5.13%
• YTD: 47.88%
• 6M: 39.94%
• 1Y: 85.14%
• 3Y*: 15.84%
• 5Y*: 18.61%
• 10Y*: 34.25%

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

QCLN vs. SAIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	37.91%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-12.38%	32.34%
SAIA Saia, Inc.	47.88%	-28.35%	4.00%	108.99%	-37.79%	86.41%	94.16%	66.82%	-21.10%	60.25%

Correlation

The correlation between QCLN and SAIA is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2007	0.45

The correlation between QCLN and SAIA shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QCLN vs. SAIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 83
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 90

SAIA

SAIA Risk / Return Rank: 85
SAIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SAIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SAIA Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SAIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SAIA Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. SAIA - 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 Saia, Inc. (SAIA). 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.

	QCLN	SAIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	1.80	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.48	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.51	3.46	+2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.21	9.08	+9.13

QCLN vs. SAIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is higher than the SAIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCLN and SAIA, 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

QCLN vs. SAIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCLN drawdown since its inception was -76.18%, smaller than the maximum SAIA drawdown of -80.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCLN and SAIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCLN	SAIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.18%	-80.35%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-24.92%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.08%	-60.94%	+4.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.49%	-60.94%	-8.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-71.73%	-60.94%	-10.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.75%	-20.31%	-8.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.42%	-28.96%	-14.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.95%	9.47%	-4.52%

Volatility

QCLN vs. SAIA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a higher volatility of 16.96% compared to Saia, Inc. (SAIA) at 11.47%. This indicates that QCLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SAIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCLN	SAIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.96%	11.47%	+5.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.95%	34.98%	-6.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.71%	47.97%	-11.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.33%	51.37%	-13.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.10%	45.75%	-10.65%

Dividends

QCLN vs. SAIA - Dividend Comparison

QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, while SAIA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.16%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%
SAIA Saia, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCLN and SAIA in my portfolio?

QCLN and SAIA have a correlation of 0.31, 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 SAIA?

QCLN has higher volatility (16.96%) compared to SAIA (11.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCLN dropped -76.18% vs SAIA's -80.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 1.80), 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.