GRID vs. PPFB.DE
GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and PPFB.DE (iShares Physical Gold ETC) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while PPFB.DE is a Gold fund tracking the Gold. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 15.54%/yr vs 17.12%/yr for PPFB.DE. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for PPFB.DE.
Performance
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Different Trading Currencies
GRID is traded in USD, while PPFB.DE is traded in EUR. To make them comparable, the PPFB.DE values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 16.76% return, which is significantly higher than PPFB.DE's -8.81% return.
GRID
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -8.28%
- 6M
- 12.20%
- YTD
- 16.76%
- 1Y
- 25.70%
- 3Y*
- 19.38%
- 5Y*
- 15.54%
- 10Y*
- 18.48%
PPFB.DE
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -7.18%
- 6M
- -12.68%
- YTD
- -8.81%
- 1Y
- 20.14%
- 3Y*
- 26.39%
- 5Y*
- 17.12%
- 10Y*
- —
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 16.76% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 11.38% |
PPFB.DE iShares Physical Gold ETC | -8.81% | 68.33% | 26.50% | 12.88% | 1.14% | -1.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and PPFB.DE is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2021 | 0.20 |
The correlation between GRID and PPFB.DE shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (5 years) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GRID vs. PPFB.DE — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
PPFB.DE
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - 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 Physical Gold ETC (PPFB.DE). 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 | PPFB.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.16 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 0.83 | +1.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.68 | 1.98 | +4.70 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than PPFB.DE's maximum drawdown of -24.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and PPFB.DE.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | PPFB.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -24.31% | -16.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -24.31% | +12.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.62% | -24.31% | +3.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | -24.31% | -5.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.63% | -24.23% | +13.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.41% | -5.82% | -2.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.82% | 10.21% | -6.39% |
Volatility
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.77% compared to iShares Physical Gold ETC (PPFB.DE) at 6.54%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPFB.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GRID | PPFB.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.77% | 6.54% | +2.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.36% | 22.12% | -2.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.18% | 25.84% | -3.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.53% | 17.71% | +3.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.71% | 17.70% | +5.01% |
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than PPFB.DE's 0.12% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. PPFB.DE - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, while PPFB.DE 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 | 0.80% | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.23% |
PPFB.DE iShares Physical Gold ETC | 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
GRID and PPFB.DE have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, PPFB.DE is cheaper at 0.12% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
PPFB.DE is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while PPFB.DE is Gold. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while PPFB.DE tracks Gold. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.12% for PPFB.DE.
Find the right allocation for GRID and PPFB.DE
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer