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FLM vs. GRID
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FLM vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FLM (First Trust Global Engineering and Construction ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FLM is a Building & Construction fund tracking the ISE Global Engineering & Construction Index, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

FLM vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

FLM

1D
-4.55%
1M
—
YTD
—
6M
—
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

GRID

1D
-4.46%
1M
-1.96%
YTD
23.40%
6M
22.11%
1Y
42.41%
3Y*
24.21%
5Y*
16.63%
10Y*
19.95%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FLM vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)
FLM
First Trust Global Engineering and Construction ETF		-4.55%
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		-4.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FLM and GRID is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2026

0.31

FLM vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FLM
GRID

Industrials

37.1%
24.2%

Energy

8.1%
1.6%

Technology

7.9%
12.5%

Basic Materials

7.4%
0.0%

Real Estate

5.7%

-

Communication Services

0.7%

-

Utilities

0.7%
3.9%

Consumer Cyclical

-

2.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

FLM
37.1%
GRID
24.2%

Energy

FLM
8.1%
GRID
1.6%

Technology

FLM
7.9%
GRID
12.5%

Basic Materials

FLM
7.4%
GRID
0.0%

Real Estate

FLM
5.7%
GRID

-

Communication Services

FLM
0.7%
GRID

-

Utilities

FLM
0.7%
GRID
3.9%

Consumer Cyclical

FLM

-

GRID
2.3%

Consumer Defensive

FLM

-

GRID

-

Financial Services

FLM

-

GRID

-

Healthcare

FLM

-

GRID

-

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First Trust Global Engineering and Construction ETF

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

Often compared with FLM:
FLM vs. VOOFLM vs. AIRRFLM vs. PKBFLM vs. XHBFLM vs. ITBFLM vs. FDLFLM vs. IGLD
Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. POWRGRID vs. VOLTGRID vs. FIWGRID vs. PAVE

Return for Risk

FLM vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
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.

FLM vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Engineering and Construction ETF (FLM) 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.

FLMGRIDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

—

2.01

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

—

2.63

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

—

1.35

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

—

3.63

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

—

12.92

—

FLM vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Drawdowns

FLM vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLM drawdown since its inception was -4.55%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLM and GRID.

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Drawdown Indicators

FLMGRIDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-4.55%

-40.56%

+36.01%

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 Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.55%

-5.55%

+1.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.27%

-8.42%

+6.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

3.29%

—

Volatility

FLM vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

FLMGRIDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

10.12%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

18.23%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.02%

21.26%

+29.76%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

51.02%

21.37%

+29.65%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

51.02%

22.80%

+28.22%

FLM vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FLM vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FLM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FLM
First Trust Global Engineering and Construction ETF		0.00%0.00%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		0.80%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

FLM and GRID have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

FLM and GRID have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for FLM.

FLM is categorized as Building & Construction, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. FLM tracks ISE Global Engineering & Construction Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index.

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