SCIO vs. QCLN
SCIO (First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SCIO is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. SCIO is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past year, SCIO returned 7.23% vs 117.87% for QCLN. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCIO charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.
Performance
SCIO vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCIO achieves a 1.43% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.00% return.
SCIO
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.33%
- YTD
- 1.43%
- 6M
- 1.90%
- 1Y
- 7.23%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QCLN
- 1D
- -0.62%
- 1M
- 13.54%
- YTD
- 52.00%
- 6M
- 46.53%
- 1Y
- 117.87%
- 3Y*
- 12.00%
- 5Y*
- 2.04%
- 10Y*
- 17.14%
SCIO vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
SCIO First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF | 1.43% | 10.17% | 6.43% |
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 52.00% | 31.81% | -1.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCIO and QCLN is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024 | 0.05 |
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Return for Risk
SCIO vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank
SCIO
QCLN
SCIO vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF (SCIO) 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.
| SCIO | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.47 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.22 | 7.48 | -3.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.02 | 25.77 | -11.75 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SCIO | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.92 | 3.42 | -1.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.05 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.49 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 2.51 | 0.20 | +2.30 |
Drawdowns
SCIO vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCIO drawdown since its inception was -1.72%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCIO and QCLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCIO | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.72% | -76.18% | +74.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.72% | -15.86% | +14.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -56.08% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -69.49% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.73% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -21.47% | +21.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.31% | -43.44% | +43.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.52% | 4.59% | -4.07% |
Volatility
SCIO vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF (SCIO) is 0.85%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.57%. This indicates that SCIO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCIO | QCLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.85% | 12.57% | -11.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.70% | 26.03% | -24.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.78% | 34.68% | -30.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.20% | 37.96% | -34.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.20% | 34.90% | -31.70% |
SCIO vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCIO has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCIO vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison
SCIO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.99%, more than QCLN's 0.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund | 0.15% | 0.25% | 0.87% | 0.76% | 0.33% | 0.01% | 0.30% | 0.85% | 1.03% | 0.45% | 1.24% | 0.72% |
SCIO First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF | 5.99% | 6.31% | 6.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCIO and QCLN have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QCLN has higher volatility (12.57%) compared to SCIO (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCIO dropped -1.72% vs QCLN's -76.18%.
On 1-year performance, QCLN leads with 117.87% vs 7.23% for SCIO. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SCIO has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QCLN has performed better with a 117.87% return vs 7.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QCLN is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for SCIO.
SCIO has the higher dividend yield at 5.99%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.
SCIO is categorized as Multisector Bonds, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for SCIO and 0.60% for QCLN.
QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.42 vs 1.92), 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.
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