FIXD vs. GRID
FIXD (First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FIXD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. FIXD is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FIXD returned -0.25%/yr vs 16.82%/yr for GRID. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FIXD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
FIXD vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FIXD achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 24.91% return.
FIXD
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.64%
- 1Y
- 4.72%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- -0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- 1.52%
- 1M
- -3.05%
- YTD
- 24.91%
- 6M
- 23.50%
- 1Y
- 41.98%
- 3Y*
- 24.52%
- 5Y*
- 16.82%
- 10Y*
- 20.66%
FIXD vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIXD First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF | 0.84% | 7.95% | 0.75% | 5.72% | -15.00% | -1.07% | 8.99% | 10.56% | -0.00% | 3.40% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 24.91% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -22.69% | 24.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between FIXD and GRID is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2017 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, FIXD and GRID have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
FIXD vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
FIXD
GRID
FIXD vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) 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.
| FIXD | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.35 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 3.60 | -2.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.19 | 12.67 | -8.47 |
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Drawdowns
FIXD vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FIXD drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIXD and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FIXD | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.44% | -40.56% | +20.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.21% | -11.73% | +8.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.97% | -20.77% | +13.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.44% | -29.64% | +9.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | -4.40% | +1.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.48% | -8.41% | +2.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 3.32% | -2.19% |
Volatility
FIXD vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) is 1.23%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 9.91%. This indicates that FIXD 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
| FIXD | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.23% | 9.91% | -8.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.23% | 18.26% | -15.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.14% | 21.22% | -17.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.60% | 21.37% | -14.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.83% | 22.79% | -16.96% |
FIXD vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
FIXD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
FIXD vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
FIXD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, more than GRID's 1.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIXD First Trust Smith Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF | 5.06% | 4.50% | 4.56% | 3.93% | 3.07% | 1.74% | 3.14% | 5.10% | 2.81% | 1.95% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 1.19% | 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
FIXD and GRID have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (9.91%) compared to FIXD (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIXD dropped -20.44% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 16.82% vs -0.25% for FIXD. On fees, FIXD is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FIXD has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 16.82% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FIXD is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.
FIXD has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 1.19% for GRID.
FIXD is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FIXD and 0.70% for GRID.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.14), 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.
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