FPXE vs. GRID
FPXE (First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FPXE is a Europe Equities fund tracking the IPOX 100 Europe Index, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPXE returned 4.98%/yr vs 16.63%/yr for GRID. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.
Performance
FPXE vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FPXE achieves a 12.36% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 23.40% return.
FPXE
- 1D
- -2.62%
- 1M
- -0.37%
- YTD
- 12.36%
- 6M
- 11.77%
- 1Y
- 17.72%
- 3Y*
- 21.43%
- 5Y*
- 4.98%
- 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%
FPXE vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF | 12.36% | 24.46% | 16.31% | 14.45% | -35.13% | 9.00% | 35.00% | 34.55% | -14.89% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 23.40% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -16.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between FPXE and GRID is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2018 | 0.70 |
The correlation between FPXE and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
FPXE vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FPXE
GRID
Industrials
Healthcare
-
Technology
Consumer Cyclical
Financial Services
-
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
Utilities
Energy
Real Estate
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Industrials
FPXE
GRID
Healthcare
FPXE
GRID
-
Technology
FPXE
GRID
Consumer Cyclical
FPXE
GRID
Financial Services
FPXE
GRID
-
Basic Materials
FPXE
GRID
Communication Services
FPXE
GRID
-
Utilities
FPXE
GRID
Energy
FPXE
GRID
Real Estate
FPXE
GRID
-
Consumer Defensive
FPXE
GRID
-
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Return for Risk
FPXE vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
FPXE
GRID
FPXE vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) 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.
| FPXE | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.35 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.57 | 3.63 | -2.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.83 | 12.92 | -8.09 |
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Drawdowns
FPXE vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FPXE drawdown since its inception was -49.55%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPXE and GRID.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FPXE | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.55% | -40.56% | -8.99% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.33% | -11.73% | +0.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.28% | -20.77% | +1.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -49.55% | -29.64% | -19.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -40.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.00% | -5.55% | +2.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.60% | -8.42% | -6.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.68% | 3.29% | +0.39% |
Volatility
FPXE vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) is 7.44%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 10.12%. This indicates that FPXE 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
| FPXE | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.44% | 10.12% | -2.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.09% | 18.23% | -1.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.42% | 21.26% | -1.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.92% | 21.37% | +0.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.23% | 22.80% | -0.57% |
FPXE vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both FPXE and GRID have an expense ratio of 0.70%.
Dividends
FPXE vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
FPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, more than GRID's 0.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF | 1.02% | 1.15% | 2.10% | 2.03% | 1.81% | 0.47% | 1.35% | 2.06% | 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
FPXE and GRID have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (10.12%) compared to FPXE (7.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPXE dropped -49.55% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 16.63% vs 4.98% for FPXE. Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. On volatility, FPXE has been the lower-risk option at 7.44%. 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 16.63% return vs 4.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FPXE and GRID have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.
FPXE has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.80% for GRID.
FPXE is categorized as Europe Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. FPXE tracks IPOX 100 Europe Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.92), 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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