EDOW vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EDOW (First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - EDOW is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight 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 5 years, EDOW returned 8.89%/yr vs 17.84%/yr for GRID. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EDOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

EDOW vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) 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, EDOW achieves a 5.68% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.91% return.

EDOW

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 5.68%
• 6M: 5.68%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 8.89%
• 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)

EDOW vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EDOW First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	5.68%	15.46%	13.17%	15.47%	-7.45%	18.82%	6.64%	24.69%	-2.04%	11.90%
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%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between EDOW and GRID is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 10, 2017	0.72

The correlation between EDOW and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EDOW vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EDOW	GRID
Technology	20.0%	11.0%
Financial Services	17.5%	-
Industrials	13.6%	65.2%
Healthcare	13.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.9%	-
Communication Services	6.5%	-
Energy	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.3%	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	20.4%

Return for Risk

EDOW vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

EDOW

EDOW Risk / Return Rank: 48
EDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
EDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
EDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
EDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

EDOW vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) 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.

	EDOW	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.67	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	3.50	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.45	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	4.42	-2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.89	16.72	-8.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EDOW vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDOW 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

	EDOW	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.67	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.85	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.57	+0.06

Drawdowns

EDOW vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDOW drawdown since its inception was -33.72%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDOW and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	EDOW	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.72%	-40.56%	+6.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.73%	-11.73%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.51%	-20.77%	+5.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.98%	-29.64%	+7.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-1.33%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.08%	-8.43%	+4.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	3.09%	-0.74%

Volatility

EDOW vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) is 2.74%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 7.95%. This indicates that EDOW 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

	EDOW	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.74%	7.95%	-5.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.92%	16.08%	-8.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.68%	19.39%	-8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.21%	21.00%	-6.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.74%	22.81%	-5.07%

EDOW vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

EDOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

EDOW vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

EDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.24%, more than GRID's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EDOW First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	1.24%	1.31%	1.65%	1.93%	1.91%	1.52%	1.84%	1.88%	1.82%	0.75%	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 EDOW and GRID in my portfolio?

EDOW and GRID have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EDOW or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to EDOW (2.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDOW dropped -33.72% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, EDOW or GRID?

On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 17.84% vs 8.89% for EDOW. On fees, EDOW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EDOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EDOW or GRID?

Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 17.84% return vs 8.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EDOW or GRID?

EDOW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

EDOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between EDOW and GRID?

EDOW is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. EDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight TR, while GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EDOW and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.74), 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.