RAYS vs. ACES

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

RAYS (Global X Solar ETF) and ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - RAYS tracks the Solactive Solar Index while ACES tracks the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index. Both are passively managed. RAYS charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ACES.

Performance

RAYS vs. ACES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Solar ETF (RAYS) and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

RAYS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ACES

• 1D: -3.02%
• 1M: -11.02%
• 6M: -7.93%
• YTD: -0.04%
• 1Y: 19.79%
• 3Y*: -12.17%
• 5Y*: -13.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

RAYS vs. ACES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	-5.32%

RAYS vs. ACES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RAYS	ACES
Technology	66.9%	30.1%
Industrials	21.4%	21.6%
Utilities	6.8%	23.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	9.9%
Basic Materials	0.9%	7.3%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	2.5%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.4%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RAYS vs. ACES — Risk / Return Rank

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

RAYS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

ACES

ACES Risk / Return Rank: 21
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

RAYS vs. ACES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Solar ETF (RAYS) and ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES). 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.

	RAYS	ACES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.58	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.00	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.12	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.81	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.15	—

Drawdowns

RAYS vs. ACES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAYS drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum ACES drawdown of -79.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAYS and ACES.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAYS	ACES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-79.05%	+79.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-24.55%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-58.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-74.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-66.15%	+66.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-39.20%	+39.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.23%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RAYS	ACES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.70%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	25.48%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	34.30%	-34.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	36.58%	-36.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	35.69%	-35.69%

RAYS vs. ACES - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAYS has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than ACES's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAYS vs. ACES - Dividend Comparison

RAYS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.69%	0.70%	1.10%	1.44%	1.08%	0.71%	0.56%	1.79%	0.34%
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, RAYS or ACES?

On fees, RAYS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAYS or ACES?

RAYS is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ACES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RAYS or ACES?

ACES has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.00% for RAYS.

What is the main difference between RAYS and ACES?

RAYS tracks Solactive Solar Index, while ACES tracks CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RAYS and 0.55% for ACES.