RNRG vs. ECLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RNRG (Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF) and ECLN (First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RNRG is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Indxx Renewable Energy Producers Index, while ECLN is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by First Trust. RNRG is passively managed, while ECLN is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, RNRG returned -2.70%/yr vs 11.85%/yr for ECLN. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RNRG charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for ECLN.

Performance

RNRG vs. ECLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF (RNRG) and First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RNRG achieves a 17.66% return, which is significantly higher than ECLN's 12.15% return.

RNRG

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 17.66%
• 6M: 17.51%
• 1Y: 42.65%
• 3Y*: 4.44%
• 5Y*: -2.70%
• 10Y*: 4.47%

ECLN

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -2.95%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 19.15%
• 3Y*: 17.15%
• 5Y*: 11.85%
• 10Y*: —

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

RNRG vs. ECLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RNRG Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF	17.66%	29.61%	-22.00%	-12.82%	-15.30%	-12.78%	26.67%	13.15%
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	12.15%	16.78%	22.60%	-3.36%	5.28%	12.26%	8.98%	5.66%

Correlation

The correlation between RNRG and ECLN is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2019	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between RNRG and ECLN has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RNRG vs. ECLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RNRG	ECLN
Utilities	92.8%	76.4%
Industrials	3.0%	6.8%
Technology	2.2%	0.5%
Basic Materials	2.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	16.3%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RNRG vs. ECLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNRG

RNRG Risk / Return Rank: 84
RNRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
RNRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
RNRG Omega Ratio Rank: 75
RNRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
RNRG Martin Ratio Rank: 89

ECLN

ECLN Risk / Return Rank: 59
ECLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ECLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ECLN Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ECLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ECLN Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

RNRG vs. ECLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF (RNRG) and First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN). 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.

	RNRG	ECLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	1.83	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	2.68	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.32	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.20	3.83	+3.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.98	10.36	+9.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RNRG vs. ECLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNRG Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is higher than the ECLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNRG and ECLN, 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

	RNRG	ECLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	1.83	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.13	0.84	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.67	-0.60

Drawdowns

RNRG vs. ECLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNRG drawdown since its inception was -58.79%, which is greater than ECLN's maximum drawdown of -32.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNRG and ECLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNRG	ECLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.79%	-32.28%	-26.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.95%	-5.02%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.23%	-14.68%	-20.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.17%	-19.88%	-32.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.37%	-3.65%	-26.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.45%	-4.99%	-19.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.86%	+0.28%

Volatility

RNRG vs. ECLN - Volatility Comparison

Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF (RNRG) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) at 3.85%. This indicates that RNRG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ECLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RNRG	ECLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.55%	3.85%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.10%	8.15%	+3.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.77%	10.51%	+5.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.10%	14.22%	+5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.67%	17.41%	+2.26%

RNRG vs. ECLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNRG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than ECLN's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

RNRG vs. ECLN - Dividend Comparison

RNRG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than ECLN's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	1.83%	1.97%	2.52%	2.54%	1.72%	1.66%	1.68%	0.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RNRG Global X Funds Global X Renewable Energy Producers ETF	1.28%	1.50%	1.48%	1.44%	1.15%	1.10%	3.16%	2.97%	5.22%	4.14%	5.02%	3.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNRG and ECLN in my portfolio?

RNRG and ECLN have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RNRG or ECLN?

RNRG has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to ECLN (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNRG dropped -58.79% vs ECLN's -32.28%.

Which ETF is better, RNRG or ECLN?

On 5-year performance, ECLN leads with 11.85% vs -2.70% for RNRG. On fees, RNRG is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, ECLN has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RNRG or ECLN?

Over the 5-year period, ECLN has performed better with a 11.85% return vs -2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RNRG or ECLN?

RNRG is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for ECLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RNRG or ECLN?

ECLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 1.28% for RNRG.

What is the main difference between RNRG and ECLN?

RNRG is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while ECLN is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RNRG and 0.97% for ECLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RNRG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.83), 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.