GRID vs. ISPY.L

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and ISPY.L (L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while ISPY.L is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the ISE Cyber Security UCITS Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 18.45%/yr vs 16.97%/yr for ISPY.L. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for ISPY.L.

Performance

GRID vs. ISPY.L - 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 L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF (ISPY.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GRID is traded in USD, while ISPY.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the ISPY.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly lower than ISPY.L's 44.63% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed ISPY.L with an annualized return of 18.45%, while ISPY.L has yielded a comparatively lower 16.97% annualized return.

GRID

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -8.67%
• 6M: 11.72%
• YTD: 16.26%
• 1Y: 25.15%
• 3Y*: 19.51%
• 5Y*: 14.88%
• 10Y*: 18.45%
• ALL TIME*: 12.44%

ISPY.L

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 13.49%
• 6M: 50.10%
• YTD: 44.63%
• 1Y: 41.78%
• 3Y*: 28.85%
• 5Y*: 11.99%
• 10Y*: 16.97%
• ALL TIME*: 10.65%

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

GRID vs. ISPY.L - 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	16.26%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%
ISPY.L L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF	44.63%	7.85%	17.69%	41.44%	-32.64%	8.19%	41.44%	30.69%	7.98%	23.87%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and ISPY.L is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2015	0.44

The correlation between GRID and ISPY.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GRID vs. ISPY.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRID	ISPY.L
Industrials	67.4%	0.3%
Utilities	17.3%	-
Technology	11.6%	97.3%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	-
Energy	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GRID vs. ISPY.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 46
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 41
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 51

ISPY.L

ISPY.L Risk / Return Rank: 55
ISPY.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ISPY.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ISPY.L Omega Ratio Rank: 62
ISPY.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
ISPY.L Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. ISPY.L - 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 L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF (ISPY.L). 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	ISPY.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.49	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	2.08	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.27	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	2.27	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.50	5.90	+0.60

GRID vs. ISPY.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the ISPY.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and ISPY.L, 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. ISPY.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum ISPY.L drawdown of -52.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and ISPY.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	ISPY.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-52.67%	+12.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-18.30%	+6.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.62%	-27.67%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-39.42%	+9.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	-39.42%	-1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.01%	-4.06%	-6.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-15.99%	+7.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	7.06%	-3.18%

Volatility

GRID vs. ISPY.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) is 8.76%, while L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF (ISPY.L) has a volatility of 10.75%. This indicates that GRID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISPY.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	ISPY.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.76%	10.75%	-1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	24.92%	-5.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.09%	28.02%	-5.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	28.71%	-7.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.72%	25.06%	-2.34%

GRID vs. ISPY.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than ISPY.L's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. ISPY.L - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, while ISPY.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	0.81%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
ISPY.L L&G Cyber Security UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GRID and ISPY.L in my portfolio?

GRID and ISPY.L have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GRID or ISPY.L?

On fees, ISPY.L is cheaper at 0.69% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or ISPY.L?

ISPY.L is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

What is the main difference between GRID and ISPY.L?

GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while ISPY.L is Cybersecurity. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while ISPY.L tracks ISE Cyber Security UCITS Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and L&G. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.69% for ISPY.L.