GRID vs. IGLD
GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. GRID is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 16.63%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
GRID vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 23.40% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.
GRID
- 1D
- -4.46%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- 23.40%
- 6M
- 22.11%
- 1Y
- 42.41%
- 3Y*
- 24.21%
- 5Y*
- 16.63%
- 10Y*
- 19.95%
IGLD
- 1D
- -1.96%
- 1M
- -8.08%
- YTD
- -5.55%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- 14.83%
- 3Y*
- 20.33%
- 5Y*
- 12.76%
- 10Y*
- —
GRID vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 23.40% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 19.98% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -5.55% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and IGLD is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.22 |
The correlation between GRID and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (5 years) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GRID vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
IGLD
GRID vs. IGLD - 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 FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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 | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.14 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.63 | 0.68 | +2.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.92 | 1.94 | +10.98 |
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Drawdowns
GRID vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and IGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -21.90% | -18.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -21.90% | +10.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.77% | -21.90% | +1.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | -21.90% | -7.74% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.55% | -21.20% | +15.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.42% | -5.37% | -3.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 7.68% | -4.39% |
Volatility
GRID vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 10.12% compared to FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) at 8.14%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GRID | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.12% | 8.14% | +1.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.23% | 22.34% | -4.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.26% | 24.40% | -3.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.37% | 15.48% | +5.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.80% | 15.30% | +7.50% |
GRID vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than IGLD's 19.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 19.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GRID and IGLD have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (10.12%) compared to IGLD (8.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs IGLD's -21.90%.
On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 16.63% vs 12.76% for IGLD. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, IGLD has been the lower-risk option at 8.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 16.63% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.80% for GRID.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.85% for IGLD.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 0.61), 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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