FCG vs. GRID

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq FactSet Natural Gas Index, while GRID is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FCG returned 4.37%/yr vs 18.61%/yr for GRID. Their 0.42 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FCG charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

FCG vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 25.55% return, which is significantly higher than GRID's 19.50% return. Over the past 10 years, FCG has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 4.37%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 18.61% annualized return.

FCG

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 10.02%
• 6M: 18.75%
• YTD: 25.55%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 6.75%
• 5Y*: 19.99%
• 10Y*: 4.37%
• ALL TIME*: -4.48%

GRID

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -1.17%
• 6M: 10.03%
• YTD: 19.50%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 18.61%
• ALL TIME*: 12.60%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	$20.29M	$18.94M	$23.89M
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	$102.61M	$99.71M	$138.67M

FCG vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	25.55%	-2.28%	4.16%	2.55%	47.24%	98.49%	-23.20%	-15.76%	-34.81%	-11.38%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	19.50%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and GRID is -0.11, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2009	0.42

The correlation between FCG and GRID shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCG vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCG	GRID
Energy	98.9%	1.6%
Technology	1.1%	12.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.8%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	23.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

FCG vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FCG

FCG Risk / Return Rank: 40
FCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FCG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
FCG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 53
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 51
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 56

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FCG vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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.

	FCG	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.31	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	1.83	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.24	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	1.91	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.84	6.77	-2.94

FCG vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is comparable to the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCG 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.

Drawdowns

FCG vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-40.56%	-56.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.67%	-15.82%	-3.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.44%	-20.62%	-8.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.33%	-29.64%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.04%	-40.56%	-44.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.69%	-8.53%	-66.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.45%	-8.42%	-57.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.85%	4.45%	+3.40%

Volatility

FCG vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) have volatilities of 8.92% and 8.94%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCG	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.92%	8.94%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.33%	20.34%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.35%	23.13%	+4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.06%	21.70%	+11.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.24%	22.83%	+15.41%

FCG vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, more than GRID's 0.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	2.19%	2.86%	2.76%	3.25%	3.04%	1.73%	3.82%	2.87%	1.46%	1.56%	1.70%	4.79%
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

Can I hold both FCG and GRID in my portfolio?

FCG and GRID have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCG or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (8.94%) compared to FCG (8.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, FCG or GRID?

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 18.61% vs 4.37% for FCG. On fees, FCG is cheaper at 0.59% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCG or GRID?

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 18.61% return vs 4.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or GRID?

FCG is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

FCG has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.79% for GRID.

What is the main difference between FCG and GRID?

FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while GRID is Infrastructure Equities. FCG tracks Nasdaq FactSet Natural Gas Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FCG and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 1.11), 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.