FXD vs. GRID

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FXD (First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FXD is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Consumer Discretionary Index, while GRID is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXD returned 8.08%/yr vs 18.38%/yr for GRID. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FXD charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

FXD vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) 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

In the year-to-date period, FXD achieves a 2.67% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 17.75% return. Over the past 10 years, FXD has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 8.08%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 18.38% annualized return.

FXD

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 1.98%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 1Y: 10.49%
• 3Y*: 7.96%
• 5Y*: 3.57%
• 10Y*: 8.08%
• ALL TIME*: 7.56%

GRID

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -2.62%
• 6M: 9.29%
• YTD: 17.75%
• 1Y: 28.13%
• 3Y*: 20.65%
• 5Y*: 14.46%
• 10Y*: 18.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FXD First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund	$1.22M	$850.69K	$681.18K
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	$98.53M	$102.24M	$137.97M

FXD vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXD First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund	2.67%	6.70%	10.57%	23.39%	-21.56%	22.72%	12.97%	24.22%	-11.60%	19.77%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	17.75%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between FXD and GRID is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2009	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between FXD and GRID has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXD vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXD	GRID
Consumer Cyclical	68.1%	2.4%
Industrials	8.8%	23.6%
Communication Services	8.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	-
Technology	5.3%	12.6%
Energy	0.9%	1.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.8%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

FXD vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FXD

FXD Risk / Return Rank: 22
FXD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FXD Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
FXD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FXD Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
FXD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 49
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 47
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FXD vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) 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.

	FXD	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.46	1.18	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	1.69	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.22	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.65	1.73	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.58	6.17	-4.59

FXD vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXD Sharpe Ratio is 0.46, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXD 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.

Drawdowns

FXD vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXD drawdown since its inception was -65.27%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXD and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXD	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.27%	-40.56%	-24.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.94%	-15.82%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.02%	-20.62%	-5.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.74%	-29.64%	-4.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.54%	-40.56%	-8.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.82%	-9.87%	+7.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.91%	-8.42%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.70%	4.42%	+1.28%

Volatility

FXD vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) is 5.98%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 8.92%. This indicates that FXD 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.

Volatility by Period

	FXD	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	8.92%	-2.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.29%	20.34%	-5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.82%	23.07%	-3.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.81%	21.71%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.72%	22.81%	+0.91%

FXD vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXD has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXD vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

FXD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than GRID's 0.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXD First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund	0.60%	0.80%	0.89%	0.70%	1.00%	0.62%	0.42%	0.92%	1.08%	0.93%	1.05%	0.90%
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 FXD and GRID in my portfolio?

FXD 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.

Which is riskier, FXD or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (8.92%) compared to FXD (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXD dropped -65.27% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, FXD or GRID?

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 18.38% vs 8.08% for FXD. On fees, FXD is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, FXD has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXD or GRID?

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 18.38% return vs 8.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXD or GRID?

FXD is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.60% for FXD.

What is the main difference between FXD and GRID?

FXD is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while GRID is Infrastructure Equities. FXD tracks StrataQuant Consumer Discretionary Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FXD and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 0.46), 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.