FTEC vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 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 10 years, FTEC returned 24.92%/yr vs 19.34%/yr for GRID. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTEC charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

FTEC vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FTEC having a 24.80% return and GRID slightly lower at 23.80%. Over the past 10 years, FTEC has outperformed GRID with an annualized return of 24.92%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively lower 19.34% annualized return.

FTEC

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: 4.37%
• YTD: 24.80%
• 6M: 21.50%
• 1Y: 50.91%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 21.10%
• 10Y*: 24.92%

GRID

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -4.01%
• YTD: 23.80%
• 6M: 23.19%
• 1Y: 44.25%
• 3Y*: 24.20%
• 5Y*: 16.92%
• 10Y*: 19.34%

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

FTEC vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	24.80%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	45.83%	48.93%	-0.39%	36.83%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	23.80%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between FTEC and GRID is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.65

The correlation between FTEC and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTEC vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTEC	GRID
Technology	98.5%	11.0%
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.4%	65.2%
Energy	0.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	20.4%

Return for Risk

FTEC vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 71
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 74
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 61

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 76
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FTEC vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) 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.

	FTEC	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.22	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.91	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	3.79	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.02	14.15	-4.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTEC vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTEC and GRID, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTEC	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.22	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.81	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.01	0.85	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	0.56	+0.40

Drawdowns

FTEC vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTEC drawdown since its inception was -34.95%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTEC and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTEC	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.95%	-40.56%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.26%	-11.73%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.30%	-20.77%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.95%	-29.64%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.95%	-40.56%	+5.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.80%	-5.25%	-1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.56%	-8.43%	+2.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.09%	3.14%	+1.95%

Volatility

FTEC vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) has a higher volatility of 9.45% compared to First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) at 8.65%. This indicates that FTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTEC	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.45%	8.65%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.51%	16.87%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.65%	20.03%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.38%	21.11%	+4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.79%	22.86%	+1.93%

FTEC vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTEC has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTEC vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than GRID's 0.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.34%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
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

Can I hold both FTEC and GRID in my portfolio?

FTEC and GRID have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTEC or GRID?

FTEC has higher volatility (9.45%) compared to GRID (8.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTEC dropped -34.95% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, FTEC or GRID?

On 10-year performance, FTEC leads with 24.92% vs 19.34% for GRID. On fees, FTEC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GRID has been the lower-risk option at 8.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTEC or GRID?

Over the 10-year period, FTEC has performed better with a 24.92% return vs 19.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTEC or GRID?

FTEC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTEC or GRID?

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.34% for FTEC.

What is the main difference between FTEC and GRID?

FTEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. FTEC tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for FTEC and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.22), 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.