ESBG vs. GRID
ESBG (First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESBG is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. ESBG is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESBG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
ESBG vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESBG achieves a -2.86% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 19.10% return.
ESBG
- 1D
- -2.33%
- 1M
- -2.85%
- 6M
- -8.17%
- YTD
- -2.86%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- -1.86%
- 1M
- -3.64%
- 6M
- 16.16%
- YTD
- 19.10%
- 1Y
- 32.30%
- 3Y*
- 20.54%
- 5Y*
- 15.52%
- 10Y*
- 18.65%
ESBG vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF | -2.86% | 5.67% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 19.10% | 3.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESBG and GRID is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2025 | 0.58 |
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Return for Risk
ESBG vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
ESBG
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
GRID
ESBG vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) 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.
| ESBG | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.26 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.77 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 8.93 | — |
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Drawdowns
ESBG vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESBG drawdown since its inception was -18.84%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESBG and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESBG | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.84% | -40.56% | +21.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -11.73% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -20.77% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.64% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.63% | -8.84% | -8.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.74% | -8.41% | +0.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 3.63% | — |
Volatility
ESBG vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| ESBG | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 9.59% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 19.12% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.71% | 22.00% | +3.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 21.51% | +4.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 22.70% | +3.01% |
ESBG vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESBG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESBG vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
ESBG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than GRID's 0.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF | 1.12% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 0.79% | 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
ESBG and GRID have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ESBG.
ESBG has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.79% for GRID.
ESBG is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ESBG and 0.70% for GRID.
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