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ACES vs. GRID
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ACES vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - ACES tracks the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index while GRID tracks the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACES returned -12.09%/yr vs 18.03%/yr for GRID. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACES charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

ACES vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACES achieves a 14.56% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 29.16% return.

ACES

1D
0.46%
1M
-5.13%
YTD
14.56%
6M
8.10%
1Y
49.72%
3Y*
-3.60%
5Y*
-12.09%
10Y*
—

GRID

1D
1.46%
1M
2.61%
YTD
29.16%
6M
28.54%
1Y
50.38%
3Y*
26.11%
5Y*
18.03%
10Y*
20.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACES vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ACES
ALPS Clean Energy ETF		14.56%25.44%-26.71%-20.04%-28.44%-19.44%140.33%51.70%-9.81%
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		29.16%29.65%15.18%21.57%-13.89%27.65%48.84%42.80%-18.95%

Correlation

The correlation between ACES and GRID is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.66

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.67

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018

0.72

The correlation between ACES and GRID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACES vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ACES
GRID

Technology

30.1%
12.5%

Utilities

23.8%
3.9%

Industrials

21.6%
24.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.9%
2.3%

Basic Materials

7.3%
0.0%

Financial Services

4.4%

-

Consumer Defensive

2.5%

-

Energy

0.4%
1.6%

Communication Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

ACES
30.1%
GRID
12.5%

Utilities

ACES
23.8%
GRID
3.9%

Industrials

ACES
21.6%
GRID
24.2%

Consumer Cyclical

ACES
9.9%
GRID
2.3%

Basic Materials

ACES
7.3%
GRID
0.0%

Financial Services

ACES
4.4%
GRID

-

Consumer Defensive

ACES
2.5%
GRID

-

Energy

ACES
0.4%
GRID
1.6%

Communication Services

ACES

-

GRID

-

Healthcare

ACES

-

GRID

-

Real Estate

ACES

-

GRID

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ALPS Clean Energy ETF

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

Often compared with ACES:
ACES vs. ICLNACES vs. QCLNACES vs. TANACES vs. INRG.LACES vs. VOOACES vs. SPYACES vs. CLNE
Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. POWRGRID vs. VOLTGRID vs. FIWGRID vs. PAVE

Return for Risk

ACES vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ACES
ACES Risk / Return Rank: 4545
Overall Rank
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 5858
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ACES vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

ACESGRIDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
2.44

-0.95

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.03
3.16

-1.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.42

-0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.80

4.32

-1.51

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.65

15.44

-8.79

ACES vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACES Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACES and GRID, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ACES vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACES drawdown since its inception was -79.05%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACES and GRID.

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Drawdown Indicators

ACESGRIDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-79.05%

-40.56%

-38.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-17.82%

-11.73%

-6.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-58.68%

-20.77%

-37.91%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-74.44%

-29.64%

-44.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-40.56%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-61.21%

-1.14%

-60.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-38.98%

-8.42%

-30.56%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

7.50%

3.27%

+4.23%

Volatility

ACES vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) has a higher volatility of 13.71% compared to First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) at 9.03%. This indicates that ACES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ACESGRIDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

13.71%

9.03%

+4.68%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

24.88%

17.61%

+7.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

33.66%

20.79%

+12.87%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

36.47%

21.27%

+15.20%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

35.69%

22.87%

+12.82%

ACES vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACES has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACES vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than GRID's 0.76% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACES
ALPS Clean Energy ETF		0.60%0.70%1.10%1.44%1.08%0.71%0.56%1.79%0.34%0.00%0.00%0.00%
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		0.76%1.01%1.06%1.23%1.26%0.63%0.68%1.26%1.28%1.07%1.07%1.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

ACES and GRID have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ACES has higher volatility (13.71%) compared to GRID (9.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACES dropped -79.05% vs GRID's -40.56%.

On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 18.03% vs -12.09% for ACES. On fees, ACES is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, GRID has been the lower-risk option at 9.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 18.03% return vs -12.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ACES is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.76%, compared with 0.60% for ACES.

ACES tracks CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ACES and 0.70% for GRID.

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.49), 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.

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