XPND vs. VCLN

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN).

XPND and VCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XPND is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Jun 14, 2021. VCLN is an actively managed fund by Virtus Investment Partners. It was launched on Aug 3, 2021.

Performance

XPND vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

XPND vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	-8.31%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	6.02%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	10.41%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPND achieves a -8.31% return, which is significantly lower than VCLN's 10.41% return.

XPND

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -4.12%
• YTD: -8.31%
• 6M: -9.25%
• 1Y: 16.58%
• 3Y*: 21.77%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCLN

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -0.41%
• YTD: 10.41%
• 6M: 17.13%
• 1Y: 72.50%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XPND vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

XPND

First Trust Expanded Technology ETF

VCLN

Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF

Return for Risk

XPND vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 35
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 36
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 95
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

XPND vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). 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.

	XPND	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.44	-1.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	3.16	-2.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.41	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	5.81	-4.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.98	21.39	-18.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPND vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND and VCLN, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XPND	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.44	-1.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.12	+0.35

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and VCLN is 0.52, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

XPND vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than VCLN's 1.82% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.11%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.82%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%

Drawdowns

XPND vs. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, smaller than the maximum VCLN drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-45.66%	+7.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-12.58%	-4.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.59%	-5.09%	-8.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-24.92%	+14.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.83%	3.42%	+2.41%

Volatility

XPND vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is 7.15%, while Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) has a volatility of 9.57%. This indicates that XPND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.15%	9.57%	-2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.52%	21.32%	-6.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.48%	29.83%	-6.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.08%	27.34%	-3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.08%	27.34%	-3.26%