FICS vs. GRID

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID).

FICS and GRID are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FICS is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the The International Developed Capital Strength Index. It was launched on Dec 15, 2020. GRID is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Nov 17, 2009. Both FICS and GRID are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FICS vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FICS vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	-2.19%	20.44%	2.59%	18.07%	-19.47%	19.78%	2.20%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	6.96%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	3.58%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FICS achieves a -2.19% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 6.96% return.

FICS

• 1D: 2.28%
• 1M: -7.64%
• YTD: -2.19%
• 6M: 2.94%
• 1Y: 8.73%
• 3Y*: 9.35%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: —

GRID

• 1D: 3.81%
• 1M: -7.97%
• YTD: 6.96%
• 6M: 8.57%
• 1Y: 46.12%
• 3Y*: 20.12%
• 5Y*: 14.69%
• 10Y*: 18.08%

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

FICS vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FICS and GRID have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

FICS

First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF

GRID

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index

Return for Risk

FICS vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

FICS

FICS Risk / Return Rank: 31
FICS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FICS Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FICS Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FICS Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FICS Martin Ratio Rank: 29

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 94
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 93
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

FICS vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) 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.

	FICS	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.16	-1.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	2.95	-2.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.41	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.76	3.82	-3.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.39	14.42	-12.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FICS vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FICS Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FICS and GRID, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FICS	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	2.16	-1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.71	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.52	-0.13

Correlation

The correlation between FICS and GRID is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

FICS vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FICS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.02%, more than GRID's 0.92% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	2.02%	1.85%	2.01%	1.02%	1.89%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.92%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%

Drawdowns

FICS vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FICS drawdown since its inception was -29.16%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FICS and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	FICS	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.16%	-40.56%	+11.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.32%	-11.73%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.16%	-29.64%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.64%	-8.37%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.31%	-8.50%	+1.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.11%	+0.18%

Volatility

FICS vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) is 5.96%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 9.26%. This indicates that FICS 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

	FICS	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.96%	9.26%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.79%	14.14%	-5.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.27%	21.44%	-6.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.00%	20.68%	-3.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.89%	22.74%	-5.85%