GRID vs. FXH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) and FXH (First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while FXH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.76%/yr vs 7.03%/yr for FXH. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for FXH.

Performance

GRID vs. FXH - 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 Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 28.91% return, which is significantly higher than FXH's 0.68% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed FXH with an annualized return of 19.76%, while FXH has yielded a comparatively lower 7.03% annualized return.

GRID

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 28.91%
• 6M: 29.60%
• 1Y: 51.55%
• 3Y*: 26.27%
• 5Y*: 17.84%
• 10Y*: 19.76%

FXH

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: -0.88%
• 1Y: 13.28%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: 7.03%

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

GRID vs. FXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	28.91%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	0.68%	10.16%	0.96%	-4.53%	-12.24%	15.20%	28.00%	22.26%	-1.33%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and FXH is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2009	0.56

The correlation between GRID and FXH shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GRID vs. FXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRID	FXH
Industrials	65.2%	-
Utilities	20.4%	-
Technology	11.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GRID vs. FXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 79
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 74
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 82

FXH

FXH Risk / Return Rank: 24
FXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Omega Ratio Rank: 23
FXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. FXH - 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 Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH). 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	FXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	0.85	+1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	1.34	+2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.15	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.42	1.09	+3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.72	3.33	+13.38
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. FXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the FXH Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and FXH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GRID	FXH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	0.85	+1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.03	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.38	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.51	+0.06

Drawdowns

GRID vs. FXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum FXH drawdown of -43.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and FXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	FXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-43.70%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-12.20%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-17.53%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-29.49%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	-30.61%	-9.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	-9.07%	+7.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	-9.46%	+1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	3.99%	-0.90%

Volatility

GRID vs. FXH - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a higher volatility of 7.95% compared to First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) at 4.16%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	FXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.95%	4.16%	+3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.08%	11.17%	+4.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.39%	15.75%	+3.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.00%	16.52%	+4.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.81%	18.47%	+4.34%

GRID vs. FXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FXH's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. FXH - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than FXH's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	0.85%	0.75%	0.41%	0.24%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.77%	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 FXH in my portfolio?

GRID and FXH have a correlation of 0.39, 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 FXH?

GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to FXH (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs FXH's -43.70%.

Which ETF is better, GRID or FXH?

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.76% vs 7.03% for FXH. On fees, FXH is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, FXH has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GRID or FXH?

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.76% return vs 7.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or FXH?

FXH is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

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

FXH has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between GRID and FXH?

GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while FXH is Health & Biotech Equities. GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while FXH tracks StrataQuant Health Care Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.61% for FXH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 0.85), 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.