CARZ vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CARZ (First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - CARZ is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CARZ returned 16.49%/yr vs 19.76%/yr for GRID. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

CARZ vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) 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, CARZ achieves a 57.52% return, which is significantly higher than GRID's 28.91% return. Over the past 10 years, CARZ has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 16.49%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 19.76% annualized return.

CARZ

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 19.08%
• YTD: 57.52%
• 6M: 60.74%
• 1Y: 116.25%
• 3Y*: 34.19%
• 5Y*: 16.32%
• 10Y*: 16.49%

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)

CARZ vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	57.52%	37.18%	3.26%	42.47%	-31.25%	18.09%	54.66%	11.39%	-23.91%	25.47%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	28.91%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between CARZ and GRID is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2011	0.66

The correlation between CARZ and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.82 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CARZ vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CARZ	GRID
Technology	60.6%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	19.5%	3.5%
Industrials	8.1%	65.2%
Basic Materials	6.6%	0.0%
Communication Services	5.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	20.4%

Return for Risk

CARZ vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

CARZ

CARZ Risk / Return Rank: 95
CARZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
CARZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CARZ Omega Ratio Rank: 94
CARZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
CARZ Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

CARZ vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) 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.

	CARZ	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.53	2.67	+1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.19	3.50	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.45	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.10	4.42	+3.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.71	16.72	+15.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CARZ vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CARZ Sharpe Ratio is 4.53, which is higher than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CARZ 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

	CARZ	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.53	2.67	+1.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.85	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.87	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.57	-0.12

Drawdowns

CARZ vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CARZ drawdown since its inception was -51.20%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CARZ and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	CARZ	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.20%	-40.56%	-10.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.44%	-11.73%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.84%	-20.77%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.30%	-29.64%	-10.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.20%	-40.56%	-10.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-1.33%	+0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-8.43%	-4.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.09%	+0.48%

Volatility

CARZ vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) has a higher volatility of 10.14% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) at 7.95%. This indicates that CARZ'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.

Volatility by Period

	CARZ	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.14%	7.95%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.31%	16.08%	+4.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.79%	19.39%	+6.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.11%	21.00%	+7.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.27%	22.81%	+3.46%

CARZ vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CARZ and GRID have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

CARZ vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

CARZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, more than GRID's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CARZ First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund	1.35%	2.13%	1.17%	1.40%	1.59%	2.25%	0.63%	3.23%	2.85%	2.11%	2.47%	1.64%
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 CARZ and GRID in my portfolio?

CARZ and GRID have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CARZ or GRID?

CARZ has higher volatility (10.14%) compared to GRID (7.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CARZ dropped -51.20% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, CARZ or GRID?

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.76% vs 16.49% for CARZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. On volatility, GRID has been the lower-risk option at 7.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CARZ or GRID?

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.76% return vs 16.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CARZ or GRID?

CARZ and GRID have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

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

CARZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between CARZ and GRID?

CARZ is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. CARZ tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Automobile (TR), while GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CARZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.53 vs 2.67), 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.