QCLN vs QQQ
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QCLN or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | QCLN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $527M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 106 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -3.34% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.64% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.91% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -7.27% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.3% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.2% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,856 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.7% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 14, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.7 years).
QCLN vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.7 years both funds cover.
QCLN vs QQQ Performance
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QCLN returned -2.64% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, QCLN is down 3.34% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, QCLN compounded at +3.91% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -7.27% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.46% annualized vs +4.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QCLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.3% compared with 18.8% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -76.2% for QCLN and -53.5% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QCLN charges 0.56% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $18 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QCLN currently yields 0.11% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
17.4% of QCLN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings QCLN also owns.
QCLN and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in QCLN and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 106 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for QCLN (93.2% of the fund), and 45 for QCLN that do not appear in QQQ (77.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QCLN and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QCLN or QQQ?
QCLN has an expense ratio of 0.56% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QCLN or QQQ?
Over the past year QCLN returned -2.64% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QCLN annualized +4.33% vs +15.46% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QCLN or QQQ?
QCLN has been the more volatile fund at 33.3% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QCLN -76.2% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both QCLN and QQQ?
QCLN and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QCLN and QQQ?
17.4% of QCLN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.1% of QQQ's is in holdings QCLN also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in QCLN and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, QCLN or QQQ?
QCLN yields 0.11% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QCLN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.