QCLN vs VOO
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, QCLN or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.8%.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $552M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 106 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +2.90% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.09% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.53% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.95% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,758 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.8% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 8, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
QCLN vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
QCLN vs VOO Performance
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QCLN returned +16.09% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, QCLN is up 2.90% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, QCLN compounded at +2.53% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are -4.95% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +8.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QCLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.3% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -71.7% for QCLN and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QCLN charges 0.59% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QCLN currently yields 0.17% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
35.8% of QCLN's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.6% of VOO's money is in holdings QCLN also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
5 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in QCLN and 494 in VOO, against full books of 106 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 482 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for QCLN (97.6% of the fund), and 43 for QCLN that do not appear in VOO (58.5%).
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.
35.8% of QCLN is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QCLN or VOO?
QCLN has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QCLN or VOO?
Over the past year QCLN returned +16.09% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), QCLN annualized +8.01% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QCLN or VOO?
QCLN has been the more volatile fund at 31.3% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: QCLN -71.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both QCLN and VOO?
QCLN and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 VOO?
35.8% of QCLN's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.6% of VOO's is in holdings QCLN also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in QCLN and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, QCLN or VOO?
QCLN yields 0.17% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than QCLN?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.