QCLN vs. VHT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy, while VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QCLN returned 16.43%/yr vs 9.87%/yr for VHT. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QCLN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VHT.

Performance

QCLN vs. VHT - 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 Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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 higher than VHT's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, QCLN has outperformed VHT with an annualized return of 16.43%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively lower 9.87% 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%

VHT

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 4.51%
• YTD: -0.11%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 16.49%
• 3Y*: 7.19%
• 5Y*: 4.78%
• 10Y*: 9.87%

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

QCLN vs. VHT - 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%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-0.11%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QCLN and VHT is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2007	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between QCLN and VHT has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QCLN vs. VHT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QCLN	VHT
Technology	47.6%	0.0%
Industrials	24.8%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Utilities	8.1%	-
Basic Materials	7.8%	-
Financial Services	1.4%	0.0%
Energy	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

QCLN vs. VHT — 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

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 34
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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. VHT - 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 Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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	VHT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	1.09	+1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.71	+1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.19	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.51	1.53	+3.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.21	3.81	+14.40

QCLN vs. VHT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is higher than the VHT Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCLN and VHT, 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. VHT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCLN drawdown since its inception was -76.18%, which is greater than VHT's maximum drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCLN and VHT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCLN	VHT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.18%	-39.12%	-37.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-10.40%	-6.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.08%	-16.91%	-39.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.49%	-17.71%	-51.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-71.73%	-28.85%	-42.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.75%	-3.28%	-25.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.42%	-5.99%	-37.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.95%	4.19%	+0.76%

Volatility

QCLN vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a higher volatility of 16.96% compared to Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) at 4.88%. This indicates that QCLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VHT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCLN	VHT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.96%	4.88%	+12.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.95%	10.46%	+18.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.71%	14.70%	+22.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.33%	15.01%	+23.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.10%	16.97%	+18.13%

QCLN vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCLN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QCLN vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison

QCLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than VHT's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	0.16%	0.25%	0.87%	0.76%	0.33%	0.01%	0.30%	0.85%	1.03%	0.45%	1.24%	0.72%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.64%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCLN and VHT in my portfolio?

QCLN and VHT have a correlation of 0.22, 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 VHT?

QCLN has higher volatility (16.96%) compared to VHT (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCLN dropped -76.18% vs VHT's -39.12%.

Which ETF is better, QCLN or VHT?

On 10-year performance, QCLN leads with 16.43% vs 9.87% for VHT. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VHT has been the lower-risk option at 4.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QCLN or VHT?

Over the 10-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 16.43% return vs 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QCLN or VHT?

VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QCLN.

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

VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.16% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between QCLN and VHT?

QCLN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VHT is Health & Biotech Equities. QCLN tracks NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy, while VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QCLN and 0.09% for VHT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 1.09), 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.