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GRID vs. POWR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GRID vs. POWR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while POWR is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by iShares. GRID is passively managed, while POWR is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.95%/yr vs 8.74%/yr for POWR. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for POWR.

Performance

GRID vs. POWR - 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 U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 23.40% return, which is significantly higher than POWR's 17.55% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed POWR with an annualized return of 19.95%, while POWR has yielded a comparatively lower 8.74% annualized 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%

POWR

1D
-1.96%
1M
-0.61%
YTD
17.55%
6M
16.63%
1Y
21.00%
3Y*
12.24%
5Y*
14.68%
10Y*
8.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GRID vs. POWR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		23.40%29.65%15.18%21.57%-13.89%27.65%48.84%42.80%-22.69%27.44%
POWR
iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF		17.55%10.81%-1.30%3.66%42.54%42.03%-28.30%8.44%-11.74%9.69%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and POWR is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.55

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.42

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.43

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.48

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012

0.46

The correlation between GRID and POWR shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (3 years) to 0.55 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GRID vs. POWR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GRID
POWR

Industrials

24.2%
33.0%

Technology

12.5%
9.5%

Utilities

3.9%
45.6%

Consumer Cyclical

2.3%

-

Energy

1.6%
11.0%

Basic Materials

0.0%
1.0%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Industrials

GRID
24.2%
POWR
33.0%

Technology

GRID
12.5%
POWR
9.5%

Utilities

GRID
3.9%
POWR
45.6%

Consumer Cyclical

GRID
2.3%
POWR

-

Energy

GRID
1.6%
POWR
11.0%

Basic Materials

GRID
0.0%
POWR
1.0%

Communication Services

GRID

-

POWR

-

Consumer Defensive

GRID

-

POWR

-

Financial Services

GRID

-

POWR

-

Healthcare

GRID

-

POWR

-

Real Estate

GRID

-

POWR

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF

Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. VOLTGRID vs. FIWGRID vs. PAVEGRID vs. QCLN
Often compared with POWR:
POWR vs. AIPOPOWR vs. XLUPOWR vs. PAVEPOWR vs. ZAPPOWR vs. VPUPOWR vs. XLUIPOWR vs. SOXX

Return for Risk

GRID vs. POWR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
POWR
POWR Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 3535
Sortino Ratio Rank
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 3434
Omega Ratio Rank
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
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. POWR - 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 U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR). 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.

GRIDPOWRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.01
1.25

+0.75

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.63
1.79

+0.84

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.22

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.63

2.98

+0.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.92

8.63

+4.29

GRID vs. POWR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the POWR Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and POWR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

GRID vs. POWR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum POWR drawdown of -65.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and POWR.

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Drawdown Indicators

GRIDPOWRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.56%

-65.98%

+25.42%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.73%

-7.09%

-4.64%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.77%

-23.14%

+2.37%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.64%

-25.09%

-4.55%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.56%

-63.42%

+22.86%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.55%

-2.27%

-3.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.42%

-18.09%

+9.67%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.29%

2.45%

+0.84%

Volatility

GRID vs. POWR - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 10.12% compared to iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) at 6.33%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than POWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GRIDPOWRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.12%

6.33%

+3.79%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.23%

12.75%

+5.48%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.26%

16.94%

+4.32%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.37%

23.08%

-1.71%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.80%

25.52%

-2.72%

GRID vs. POWR - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than POWR's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. POWR - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than POWR's 5.48% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
POWR
iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF		5.48%7.56%4.36%4.16%4.82%3.94%3.96%5.71%3.17%3.11%2.75%3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

GRID and POWR have a correlation of 0.55, 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 POWR (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs POWR's -65.98%.

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.95% vs 8.74% for POWR. On fees, POWR is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, POWR has been the lower-risk option at 6.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.95% return vs 8.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

POWR is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 5.48%, compared with 0.80% for GRID.

GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while POWR is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.40% for POWR.

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.25), 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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