GRID vs. BIL
GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.76%/yr vs 2.20%/yr for BIL. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.
Performance
GRID vs. BIL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 23.59% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.60% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed BIL with an annualized return of 19.76%, while BIL has yielded a comparatively lower 2.20% annualized return.
GRID
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -4.18%
- YTD
- 23.59%
- 6M
- 24.02%
- 1Y
- 41.72%
- 3Y*
- 23.21%
- 5Y*
- 16.83%
- 10Y*
- 19.76%
BIL
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- YTD
- 1.60%
- 6M
- 1.76%
- 1Y
- 3.89%
- 3Y*
- 4.63%
- 5Y*
- 3.43%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
GRID vs. BIL - 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 | 23.59% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -22.69% | 27.44% |
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | 1.60% | 4.15% | 5.19% | 4.94% | 1.40% | -0.10% | 0.40% | 2.03% | 1.74% | 0.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and BIL is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2009 | -0.02 |
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Return for Risk
GRID vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
BIL
GRID vs. BIL - 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 SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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 | BIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -17.61 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -172.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 88.41 | -87.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.57 | 357.44 | -353.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.89 | 2,834.34 | -2,821.44 |
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Drawdowns
GRID vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and BIL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | BIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -0.78% | -39.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -0.01% | -11.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.77% | -0.01% | -20.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | -0.09% | -29.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | -0.21% | -40.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.40% | 0.00% | -5.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.42% | -0.26% | -8.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.25% | 0.00% | +3.25% |
Volatility
GRID vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 9.56% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GRID | BIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.56% | 0.06% | +9.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.70% | 0.14% | +17.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.73% | 0.20% | +20.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.24% | 0.26% | +20.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.90% | 0.26% | +22.64% |
GRID vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than BIL's 0.14% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than BIL's 3.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF | 3.86% | 4.13% | 5.03% | 4.92% | 1.35% | 0.00% | 0.30% | 2.05% | 1.66% | 0.68% | 0.07% | 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
GRID and BIL have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (9.56%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs BIL's -0.78%.
On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.76% vs 2.20% for BIL. On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.76% return vs 2.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.
BIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 0.80% for GRID.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while BIL is Government Bonds. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while BIL tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.14% for BIL.
BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.63 vs 2.02), 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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