AFMC vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFMC (First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - AFMC is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. AFMC is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFMC returned 10.49%/yr vs 17.84%/yr for GRID. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFMC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

AFMC vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFMC achieves a 16.54% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.91% return.

AFMC

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 17.09%
• 1Y: 28.05%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: —

GRID

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 28.91%
• 6M: 29.60%
• 1Y: 51.55%
• 3Y*: 26.27%
• 5Y*: 17.84%
• 10Y*: 19.76%

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

AFMC vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	16.54%	10.23%	19.06%	21.46%	-15.55%	25.75%	5.87%	2.56%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	28.91%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	4.68%

Correlation

The correlation between AFMC and GRID is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2019	0.80

The correlation between AFMC and GRID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

AFMC vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFMC	GRID
Technology	20.8%	11.0%
Industrials	17.5%	65.2%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	3.5%
Healthcare	12.3%	-
Financial Services	11.2%	-
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Basic Materials	5.6%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	-
Energy	3.7%	-
Communication Services	1.9%	-
Utilities	1.5%	20.4%

Return for Risk

AFMC vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFMC

AFMC Risk / Return Rank: 61
AFMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
AFMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
AFMC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AFMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AFMC Martin Ratio Rank: 67

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 79
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 74
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

AFMC vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (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.

	AFMC	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.67	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	3.50	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.45	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	4.42	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	16.72	-4.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFMC vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFMC Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFMC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFMC	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.67	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.85	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.57	-0.03

Drawdowns

AFMC vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFMC drawdown since its inception was -42.14%, roughly equal to the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFMC and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFMC	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.14%	-40.56%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.20%	-11.73%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-20.77%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-29.64%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.33%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-8.43%	+0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	3.09%	-0.82%

Volatility

AFMC vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) is 4.71%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 7.95%. This indicates that AFMC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFMC	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	7.95%	-3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	16.08%	-5.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.94%	19.39%	-4.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	21.00%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.93%	22.81%	+0.12%

AFMC vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFMC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFMC vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

AFMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, more than GRID's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFMC First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF	0.78%	0.96%	0.64%	0.87%	1.42%	0.84%	1.05%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.77%	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

Can I hold both AFMC and GRID in my portfolio?

AFMC and GRID have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFMC or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to AFMC (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFMC dropped -42.14% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, AFMC or GRID?

On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 17.84% vs 10.49% for AFMC. On fees, AFMC is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, AFMC has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFMC or GRID?

Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 17.84% return vs 10.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFMC or GRID?

AFMC is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFMC or GRID?

AFMC and GRID have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.78%.

What is the main difference between AFMC and GRID?

AFMC is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AFMC and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.89), 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.