QS vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

QS (QuantumScape Corporation) is a stock, while QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index. Over the past 5 years, QS returned -24.47%/yr vs -1.46%/yr for QCLN. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

QS vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QuantumScape Corporation (QS) 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, QS achieves a -31.67% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 35.74% return.

QS

• 1D: -4.04%
• 1M: -13.17%
• YTD: -31.67%
• 6M: -36.31%
• 1Y: 64.43%
• 3Y*: 1.35%
• 5Y*: -24.47%
• 10Y*: —

QCLN

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: -4.54%
• YTD: 35.74%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 86.43%
• 3Y*: 8.46%
• 5Y*: -1.46%
• 10Y*: 16.66%

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

QS vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QS QuantumScape Corporation	-31.67%	100.77%	-25.32%	22.57%	-74.45%	-73.72%	757.36%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	35.74%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	80.11%

Correlation

The correlation between QS and QCLN is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2020	0.66

The correlation between QS and QCLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QS vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

QS

QS Risk / Return Rank: 65
QS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QS Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
QS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QS Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 79
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 65
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QCLN 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.

QS vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QuantumScape Corporation (QS) 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.

	QS	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.62	2.32	-1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.77	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.35	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	5.30	-4.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.44	16.86	-15.42

QS vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QS Sharpe Ratio is 0.62, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QS 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

QS vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QS drawdown since its inception was -97.36%, which is greater than QCLN's maximum drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QS and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	QS	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.36%	-76.18%	-21.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.68%	-16.40%	-51.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.93%	-56.08%	-17.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-91.45%	-69.49%	-21.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.59%	-29.88%	-64.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-85.56%	-43.39%	-42.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	44.78%	5.14%	+39.64%

Volatility

QS vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

QuantumScape Corporation (QS) has a higher volatility of 27.88% compared to First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) at 17.65%. This indicates that QS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QS	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	27.88%	17.65%	+10.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.47%	29.87%	+20.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	104.48%	37.47%	+67.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	86.16%	38.54%	+47.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	105.90%	35.21%	+70.69%

Dividends

QS vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

QS 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
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%
QS QuantumScape Corporation	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 QS and QCLN in my portfolio?

QS and QCLN have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QS or QCLN?

QS has higher volatility (27.88%) compared to QCLN (17.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QS dropped -97.36% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.62), 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.