DALI vs. GRID
DALI (First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DALI is a Tactical Allocation fund tracking the Dorsey Wright DALI 1 Index, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DALI returned 4.20%/yr vs 16.63%/yr for GRID. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DALI charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
DALI vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DALI achieves a 3.48% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 23.40% return.
DALI
- 1D
- -3.36%
- 1M
- -2.43%
- YTD
- 3.48%
- 6M
- 1.88%
- 1Y
- 16.11%
- 3Y*
- 6.35%
- 5Y*
- 4.20%
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- -4.46%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- 23.40%
- 6M
- 22.11%
- 1Y
- 42.41%
- 3Y*
- 24.21%
- 5Y*
- 16.63%
- 10Y*
- 19.95%
DALI vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DALI First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF | 3.48% | 11.89% | 19.93% | -8.48% | -8.10% | 22.28% | 4.51% | 25.39% | -14.98% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 23.40% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -25.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between DALI and GRID is 0.81, 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 | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2018 | 0.67 |
The correlation between DALI and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (all time) to 0.81 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DALI vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
DALI
GRID
DALI vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI) 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.
| DALI | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.35 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.29 | 3.63 | -2.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.63 | 12.92 | -8.29 |
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Drawdowns
DALI vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DALI drawdown since its inception was -36.06%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DALI and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DALI | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.06% | -40.56% | +4.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.54% | -11.73% | -0.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.30% | -20.77% | -2.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.26% | -29.64% | +3.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.29% | -5.55% | +0.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.09% | -8.42% | -1.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | 3.29% | +0.19% |
Volatility
DALI vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI) is 7.74%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 10.12%. This indicates that DALI 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.
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Volatility by Period
| DALI | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.74% | 10.12% | -2.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.69% | 18.23% | -2.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.50% | 21.26% | -2.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.88% | 21.37% | -1.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.99% | 22.80% | -1.81% |
DALI vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
DALI has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
DALI vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
DALI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than GRID's 0.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DALI First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF | 0.39% | 0.38% | 0.18% | 3.42% | 0.50% | 0.11% | 1.25% | 0.45% | 0.17% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 0.80% | 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
DALI and GRID have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (10.12%) compared to DALI (7.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DALI dropped -36.06% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 16.63% vs 4.20% for DALI. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, DALI has been the lower-risk option at 7.74%. 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 16.63% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for DALI.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.39% for DALI.
DALI is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. DALI tracks Dorsey Wright DALI 1 Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for DALI and 0.70% for GRID.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.88), 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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