GRID vs. AIRR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 18.61%/yr vs 20.17%/yr for AIRR. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

GRID vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 19.50% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 22.38% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has underperformed AIRR with an annualized return of 18.61%, while AIRR has yielded a comparatively higher 20.17% annualized return.

GRID

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -1.17%
• 6M: 10.03%
• YTD: 19.50%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 22.76%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 18.61%
• ALL TIME*: 12.60%

AIRR

• 1D: 2.73%
• 1M: -4.50%
• 6M: 6.93%
• YTD: 22.38%
• 1Y: 41.30%
• 3Y*: 31.02%
• 5Y*: 24.25%
• 10Y*: 20.17%
• ALL TIME*: 15.83%

*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)
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	$85.28M	$87.33M	$93.05M
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	$102.61M	$99.71M	$138.67M

GRID vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	19.50%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	22.38%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and AIRR is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.70

The correlation between GRID and AIRR shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GRID vs. AIRR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRID	AIRR
Industrials	23.6%	77.6%
Technology	12.6%	3.4%
Utilities	3.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	1.9%
Energy	1.6%	1.7%
Basic Materials	0.8%	3.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	12.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GRID vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 53
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 51
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 56

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 63
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

GRID vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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.

	GRID	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.48	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	2.05	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.25	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.42	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	9.17	-2.40

GRID vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and AIRR, 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

GRID vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, roughly equal to the maximum AIRR drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-42.37%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.82%	-17.18%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.62%	-27.95%	+7.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-27.95%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	-42.37%	+1.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.53%	-9.76%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.42%	-7.47%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.45%	4.51%	-0.06%

Volatility

GRID vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) is 8.94%, while First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a volatility of 10.27%. This indicates that GRID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.94%	10.27%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.34%	22.42%	-2.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.13%	28.14%	-5.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.70%	25.74%	-4.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.83%	26.50%	-3.67%

GRID vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, more than AIRR's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.09%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	0.79%	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 GRID and AIRR in my portfolio?

GRID and AIRR have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GRID or AIRR?

AIRR has higher volatility (10.27%) compared to GRID (8.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, GRID or AIRR?

On 10-year performance, AIRR leads with 20.17% vs 18.61% for GRID. On fees, AIRR is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, GRID has been the lower-risk option at 8.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GRID or AIRR?

Over the 10-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 20.17% return vs 18.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or AIRR?

AIRR is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.09% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between GRID and AIRR?

GRID is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while AIRR is Building & Construction. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.69% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.31), 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.