ECLN vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECLN (First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - ECLN is a Utilities 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. ECLN is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ECLN returned 11.85%/yr vs 17.84%/yr for GRID. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECLN charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

ECLN vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) 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, ECLN achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.91% return.

ECLN

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -2.95%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 19.15%
• 3Y*: 17.15%
• 5Y*: 11.85%
• 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)

ECLN vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	12.15%	16.78%	22.60%	-3.36%	5.28%	12.26%	8.98%	5.66%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	28.91%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	15.80%

Correlation

The correlation between ECLN and GRID is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2019	0.52

The correlation between ECLN and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ECLN vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECLN	GRID
Utilities	76.4%	20.4%
Energy	16.3%	-
Industrials	6.8%	65.2%
Technology	0.5%	11.0%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ECLN vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECLN

ECLN Risk / Return Rank: 59
ECLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ECLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ECLN Omega Ratio Rank: 50
ECLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ECLN Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

ECLN vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) 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.

	ECLN	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.67	-0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	3.50	-0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	4.42	-0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.36	16.72	-6.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECLN vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECLN 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

	ECLN	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.67	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.85	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.57	+0.10

Drawdowns

ECLN vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECLN drawdown since its inception was -32.28%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECLN and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECLN	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.28%	-40.56%	+8.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.02%	-11.73%	+6.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-20.77%	+6.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.88%	-29.64%	+9.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-1.33%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-8.43%	+3.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	3.09%	-1.23%

Volatility

ECLN vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF (ECLN) is 3.85%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 7.95%. This indicates that ECLN 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

	ECLN	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	7.95%	-4.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	16.08%	-7.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.51%	19.39%	-8.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.22%	21.00%	-6.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.41%	22.81%	-5.40%

ECLN vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECLN has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECLN vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

ECLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, more than GRID's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECLN First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF	1.83%	1.97%	2.52%	2.54%	1.72%	1.66%	1.68%	0.71%	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 ECLN and GRID in my portfolio?

ECLN and GRID have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ECLN or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to ECLN (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECLN dropped -32.28% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, ECLN or GRID?

On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 17.84% vs 11.85% for ECLN. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, ECLN has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECLN or GRID?

Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 17.84% return vs 11.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECLN or GRID?

GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for ECLN.

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

ECLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between ECLN and GRID?

ECLN is categorized as Utilities Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for ECLN and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.83), 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.