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FIW vs. GRID
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

FIW vs. GRID

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Water ETF (FIW) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID).

FIW and GRID are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FIW is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. It was launched on May 8, 2007. 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 FIW 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

FIW vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

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

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FIW vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FIW
First Trust Water ETF		-3.98%7.20%8.38%20.35%-15.70%32.00%21.15%37.37%-9.23%24.69%
GRID
First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index		9.08%29.65%15.18%21.57%-13.89%27.65%48.84%42.80%-22.69%27.44%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIW achieves a -3.98% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 9.08% return. Over the past 10 years, FIW has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 12.89%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 18.31% annualized return.

FIW

1D
0.96%
1M
-7.88%
YTD
-3.98%
6M
-7.06%
1Y
3.99%
3Y*
8.37%
5Y*
6.40%
10Y*
12.89%

GRID

1D
1.98%
1M
-5.47%
YTD
9.08%
6M
9.98%
1Y
48.00%
3Y*
20.91%
5Y*
15.14%
10Y*
18.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Water ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index

Often compared with FIW:
FIW vs. PHOFIW vs. CGWFIW vs. SPYFIW vs. AQWAFIW vs. PIOFIW vs. CWW.TOFIW vs. EBLU
Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. QCLNGRID vs. SPYGRID vs. QQQGRID vs. QTUM

FIW vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIW has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

GRID
First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index
FIW
First Trust Water ETF

Return for Risk

FIW vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FIW
FIW Risk / Return Rank: 1818
Overall Rank
FIW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1717
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FIW Sortino Ratio Rank: 1717
Sortino Ratio Rank
FIW Omega Ratio Rank: 1616
Omega Ratio Rank
FIW Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
FIW Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank
GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 9494
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FIW vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Water ETF (FIW) 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.

FIWGRIDDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.21

2.25

-2.03

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.46

3.04

-2.58

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.05

1.42

-0.37

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.33

4.18

-3.85

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

1.04

15.64

-14.60

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIW vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIW Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIW 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FIWGRIDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.21

2.25

-2.03

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.35

0.74

-0.38

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.65

0.81

-0.16

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

0.53

-0.10

Correlation

The correlation between FIW and GRID is 0.69, 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

FIW vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FIW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than GRID's 0.90% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FIW
First Trust Water ETF		0.79%0.69%0.69%0.68%0.67%0.37%0.56%0.55%0.73%1.13%0.51%0.76%
GRID
First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index		0.90%1.01%1.06%1.23%1.26%0.63%0.68%1.26%1.28%1.07%1.07%1.23%

Drawdowns

FIW vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIW drawdown since its inception was -52.75%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIW and GRID.

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Drawdown Indicators

FIWGRIDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-52.75%

-40.56%

-12.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.74%

-11.73%

-1.01%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.53%

-29.64%

+1.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.60%

-40.56%

+3.96%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.95%

-6.55%

-3.40%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.29%

-8.50%

+0.21%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.01%

3.14%

+0.87%

Volatility

FIW vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Water ETF (FIW) is 5.83%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 8.59%. This indicates that FIW 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.

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Volatility by Period

FIWGRIDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.83%

8.59%

-2.76%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.03%

14.24%

-3.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.65%

21.49%

-2.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.30%

20.69%

-2.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.88%

22.74%

-2.86%