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HYDR vs QCLN
Which ETF would AI Choose? Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) vs. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN)
Key Takeaways
- Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) provides targeted exposure to the hydrogen economy through 25 holdings concentrated in fuel cell and electrolyzer companies, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) offers broader clean energy coverage across approximately 55 holdings including solar, wind, electric vehicles, and batteries.
- HYDR maintains a lower expense ratio of 0.50% compared to QCLN’s 0.59%, reflecting differences in index complexity and liquidity profiles.
- HYDR exhibits higher concentration risk with top holdings often exceeding 15% individually and a heavy tilt toward industrials, whereas QCLN delivers greater diversification with more balanced allocations across semiconductors and consumer discretionary sectors.
- Both ETFs track passive, rules-based indexes focused on clean energy themes but differ in geographic scope: HYDR includes significant international exposure, while QCLN remains predominantly U.S.-listed.
- Structural positioning favors HYDR for investors seeking pure-play hydrogen infrastructure and QCLN for those preferring multi-subsector clean energy participation with larger average market capitalizations.
Introduction
Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) represent distinct approaches within the clean energy thematic space. They do not compete directly but serve as complementary or alternative vehicles for investors targeting the transition to lower-carbon energy systems. HYDR narrows its mandate to hydrogen-specific technologies, while QCLN captures a wider array of clean energy applications. This comparison highlights structural differences in index methodology, holdings concentration, cost, and thematic breadth that shape their respective risk-return profiles in evolving market cycles.
Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) Overview
Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) seeks to track the Solactive Global Hydrogen Index, a modified market-capitalization-weighted benchmark that selects companies involved in hydrogen production, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and related infrastructure. The fund holds 25 securities and employs a passive strategy with periodic rebalancing aligned to index rules. Its expense ratio stands at 0.50%. Top holdings typically include Bloom Energy Corporation (BE), Doosan Fuel Cell, Plug Power Inc. (PLUG), and Ceres Power Holdings, with the portfolio heavily weighted toward industrials. Geographic exposure spans the United States, South Korea, Europe, and select emerging markets, emphasizing smaller and mid-sized companies focused on hydrogen commercialization.
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) Overview
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) tracks the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index, which targets U.S.-listed companies engaged in solar photovoltaics, wind power, advanced batteries, fuel cells, electric vehicles, and related clean energy technologies. The ETF maintains approximately 55 holdings under a passive, rules-based methodology with quarterly rebalancing. Its expense ratio is 0.59%. Prominent positions often feature Bloom Energy Corporation (BE), Tesla Inc. (TSLA), ON Semiconductor Corporation (ON), Monolithic Power Systems Inc., and Rivian Automotive Inc. (RIVN), with notable allocations to semiconductors and automobiles. The fund concentrates on developed-market issuers, primarily U.S.-listed securities with larger average market capitalizations than those in narrower thematic peers.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
The clean energy sector continues to experience policy support through incentives for renewable deployment and hydrogen infrastructure development, alongside private capital flows into decarbonization technologies. Macroeconomic drivers include interest rate trajectories, commodity price volatility affecting battery and electrolyzer inputs, and supply-chain localization efforts. Regulatory developments around emissions standards and grid modernization provide tailwinds, while sector risks encompass execution challenges in scaling new technologies, competition from established energy sources, and sensitivity to broader economic growth cycles. Both ETFs operate within this environment, with HYDR more exposed to hydrogen-specific policy milestones and QCLN influenced by electric vehicle adoption rates and semiconductor demand.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) has shown greater volatility tied to hydrogen project announcements and commodity trends, reflecting its concentrated holdings and smaller-cap bias. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN) has demonstrated relatively steadier behavior linked to broader clean energy rotation, earnings from established semiconductor and automotive names, and interest rate sensitivity affecting growth-oriented holdings. Relative positioning highlights HYDR’s potential for outsized moves during hydrogen-specific catalysts versus QCLN’s more diversified participation across multiple clean energy subsectors, resulting in differing drawdown profiles during sector rotations.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Visit the AI Screener to explore current opportunities across thematic ETFs and individual securities.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including lower expense ratio, focused thematic alignment with emerging hydrogen infrastructure, and global diversification potential, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of structural favorability to Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR) for investors seeking concentrated exposure within the clean energy transition. QCLN remains competitive for those prioritizing broader subsector participation and larger-cap stability, though its higher cost and U.S. concentration present different trade-offs in risk-adjusted positioning.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HYDR is a Hold and QCLN is a Hold.
HYDR in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on November 05, 2026
HYDR may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 39 of 40 cases where HYDR's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where HYDR's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 39 of 44 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 46 of 54 cases where HYDR's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
Following a +6.61% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where HYDR advanced for three days, in 242 of 273 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for HYDR turned negative on October 07, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 45 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 42 of the 45 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 90%.
HYDR moved below its 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for HYDR crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 09, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 12 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 86%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where HYDR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator for HYDR entered a downward trend on November 10, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
QCLN saw its Stochastic Oscillator leaves the overbought zone
The Stochastic Oscillator for QCLN moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock and investors may want to consider selling or taking a defensive position. A.I.dvisor looked at 60 similar instances where the indicator exited the overbought zone. In 55 of the 60 cases the stock moved lower. This puts the odds of a downward move at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 10, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on QCLN as a result. In 75 of 83 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
QCLN moved below its 50-day moving average on October 07, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where QCLN declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator for QCLN entered a downward trend on November 10, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where QCLN's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 29 of 30 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for QCLN just turned positive on October 29, 2026. Looking at past instances where QCLN's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 43 of 50 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 86%.
Following a +8.84% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where QCLN advanced for three days, in 261 of 293 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
QCLN may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
| HYDR | QCLN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 85% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 90% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 86% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 89% | 3 days ago 89% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 90% | 7 days ago 90% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
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HYDR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HYDR has been closely correlated with FCEL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 67% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if HYDR jumps, then FCEL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HYDR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYDR | 100% | -1.19% | ||
| FCEL - HYDR | 67% Closely correlated | -4.99% | ||
| BLDP - HYDR | 67% Closely correlated | -5.73% | ||
| PLUG - HYDR | 65% Loosely correlated | -9.00% | ||
| CI - HYDR | 8% Poorly correlated | +2.55% | ||
| BE - HYDR | 2% Poorly correlated | -4.36% | ||
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