UCON vs. QCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) and QCLN (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - UCON is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while QCLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy. UCON is actively managed, while QCLN is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UCON returned 2.76%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for QCLN. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UCON charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QCLN.

Performance

UCON vs. QCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) 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, UCON achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than QCLN's 52.94% return.

UCON

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: 5.68%
• 5Y*: 2.76%
• 10Y*: —

QCLN

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 16.40%
• YTD: 52.94%
• 6M: 50.79%
• 1Y: 120.21%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: 2.16%
• 10Y*: 17.39%

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

UCON vs. QCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.58%	7.00%	4.69%	7.72%	-5.72%	1.02%	6.54%	7.39%	1.11%
QCLN First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund	52.94%	31.81%	-18.86%	-10.02%	-30.37%	-3.21%	184.00%	42.65%	-11.46%

Correlation

The correlation between UCON and QCLN is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2018	0.17

UCON vs. QCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UCON	QCLN
Utilities	100.0%	13.2%
Basic Materials	-	9.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	13.2%
Financial Services	-	1.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	30.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	20.8%

Return for Risk

UCON vs. QCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 52
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 56
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 51

QCLN

QCLN Risk / Return Rank: 89
QCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 79
QCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

UCON vs. QCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) 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.

	UCON	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	3.49	-1.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.86	-1.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.48	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	7.62	-5.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	26.28	-17.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UCON vs. QCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UCON Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is lower than the QCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UCON 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UCON	QCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	3.49	-1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.06	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.20	+0.43

Drawdowns

UCON vs. QCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UCON drawdown since its inception was -15.31%, smaller than the maximum QCLN drawdown of -76.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UCON and QCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	UCON	QCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-76.18%	+60.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.45%	-15.86%	+13.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.85%	-56.08%	+53.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.60%	-69.49%	+59.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-20.99%	+20.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.48%	-43.45%	+41.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	4.59%	-3.96%

Volatility

UCON vs. QCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) is 1.14%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has a volatility of 12.56%. This indicates that UCON 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.

Volatility by Period

	UCON	QCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	12.56%	-11.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	26.02%	-23.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.98%	34.88%	-31.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.89%	37.97%	-34.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.89%	34.91%	-29.02%

UCON vs. QCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

UCON has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than QCLN's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

UCON vs. QCLN - Dividend Comparison

UCON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, 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%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.67%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UCON and QCLN in my portfolio?

UCON and QCLN have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UCON or QCLN?

QCLN has higher volatility (12.56%) compared to UCON (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UCON dropped -15.31% vs QCLN's -76.18%.

Which ETF is better, UCON or QCLN?

On 5-year performance, UCON leads with 2.76% vs 2.16% for QCLN. On fees, QCLN is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, UCON has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UCON or QCLN?

Over the 5-year period, UCON has performed better with a 2.76% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UCON or QCLN?

QCLN is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

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

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.67%, compared with 0.15% for QCLN.

What is the main difference between UCON and QCLN?

UCON is categorized as Nontraditional Bonds, while QCLN is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for UCON and 0.60% for QCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 1.85), 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.