GRID vs. BILT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) are both Infrastructure Equities funds. GRID is passively managed, while BILT is actively managed. Over the past year, GRID returned 30.04% vs 17.39% for BILT. Their 0.22 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for BILT.

Performance

GRID vs. BILT - 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 iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT). 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 higher than BILT's 13.73% 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%

BILT

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -1.54%
• 6M: 9.37%
• YTD: 13.73%
• 1Y: 17.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.31%

*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)
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	$2.26M	$1.67M	$1.68M
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	$102.61M	$99.71M	$138.67M

GRID vs. BILT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	19.50%	7.16%
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	13.73%	4.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and BILT is 0.22, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

GRID vs. BILT — 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

BILT

BILT Risk / Return Rank: 72
BILT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
BILT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
BILT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
BILT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BILT 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. BILT - 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 iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT). 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	BILT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.70	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	2.38	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.30	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	3.25	-1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	9.73	-2.96

GRID vs. BILT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the BILT Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and BILT, 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. BILT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than BILT's maximum drawdown of -5.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and BILT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	BILT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-5.38%	-35.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.82%	-5.38%	-10.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.53%	-2.73%	-5.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.42%	-1.37%	-7.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.45%	1.79%	+2.66%

Volatility

GRID vs. BILT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.94% compared to iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) at 2.62%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BILT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	BILT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.94%	2.62%	+6.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.34%	8.46%	+11.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.13%	10.32%	+12.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.70%	10.30%	+11.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.83%	10.30%	+12.53%

GRID vs. BILT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than BILT's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. BILT - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than BILT's 5.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	5.73%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 BILT in my portfolio?

GRID and BILT have a correlation of 0.22, 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 BILT?

GRID has higher volatility (8.94%) compared to BILT (2.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs BILT's -5.38%.

Which ETF is better, GRID or BILT?

On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 30.04% vs 17.39% for BILT. On fees, BILT is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, BILT has been the lower-risk option at 2.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GRID or BILT?

Over the 1-year period, GRID has performed better with a 30.04% return vs 17.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or BILT?

BILT is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

BILT has the higher dividend yield at 5.73%, compared with 0.79% for GRID.

What is the main difference between GRID and BILT?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.60% for BILT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BILT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 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.