GRID vs. FIW

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW).

GRID and FIW are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GRID is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Nov 17, 2009. FIW is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the ISE Clean Edge Water Index. It was launched on May 8, 2007. Both GRID and FIW are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

GRID vs. FIW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GRID vs. FIW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	9.08%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	-3.98%	7.20%	8.38%	20.35%	-15.70%	32.00%	21.15%	37.37%	-9.23%	24.69%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly higher than FIW's -3.98% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed FIW with an annualized return of 18.31%, while FIW has yielded a comparatively lower 12.89% annualized return.

GRID

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: -5.47%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.98%
• 1Y: 48.00%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 15.14%
• 10Y*: 18.31%

FIW

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -7.88%
• YTD: -3.98%
• 6M: -7.06%
• 1Y: 3.99%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 12.89%

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

GRID vs. FIW - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FIW's 0.54% expense ratio.

GRID

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index

FIW

First Trust Water ETF

Return for Risk

GRID vs. FIW — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 94
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 92
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 95

FIW

FIW Risk / Return Rank: 18
FIW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FIW Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
FIW Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FIW Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
FIW Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

GRID vs. FIW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and First Trust Water ETF (FIW). 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.

	GRID	FIW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	0.21	+2.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	0.46	+2.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.05	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.18	0.33	+3.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.64	1.04	+14.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GRID vs. FIW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is higher than the FIW Sharpe Ratio of 0.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and FIW, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GRID	FIW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	0.21	+2.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.35	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.65	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.43	+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and FIW is 0.69, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

GRID vs. FIW - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than FIW's 0.79% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.90%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
FIW First Trust Water ETF	0.79%	0.69%	0.69%	0.68%	0.67%	0.37%	0.56%	0.55%	0.73%	1.13%	0.51%	0.76%

Drawdowns

GRID vs. FIW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum FIW drawdown of -52.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and FIW.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	FIW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-52.75%	+12.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-12.74%	+1.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-28.53%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	-36.60%	-3.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.55%	-9.95%	+3.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.50%	-8.29%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	4.01%	-0.87%

Volatility

GRID vs. FIW - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.59% compared to First Trust Water ETF (FIW) at 5.83%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	FIW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	5.83%	+2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.24%	11.03%	+3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.49%	18.65%	+2.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	18.30%	+2.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	19.88%	+2.86%