GRID vs. QDSNX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and QDSNX (AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N) are both funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while QDSNX is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by AQR Funds. GRID is passively managed, while QDSNX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 16.92%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for QDSNX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 3.30%/yr for QDSNX.

Performance

GRID vs. QDSNX - 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 AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 23.80% return, which is significantly higher than QDSNX's 5.44% return.

GRID

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -4.01%
• YTD: 23.80%
• 6M: 23.19%
• 1Y: 44.25%
• 3Y*: 24.20%
• 5Y*: 16.92%
• 10Y*: 19.34%

QDSNX

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 5.44%
• 6M: 7.09%
• 1Y: 14.00%
• 3Y*: 13.28%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: —

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

GRID vs. QDSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	23.80%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	45.42%
QDSNX AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N	5.44%	16.14%	9.56%	8.62%	14.48%	10.35%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and QDSNX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 11, 2020	0.18

Over the past year, GRID and QDSNX have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GRID vs. QDSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 76
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 80

QDSNX

QDSNX Risk / Return Rank: 90
QDSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QDSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QDSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QDSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
QDSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. QDSNX - 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 AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX). 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	QDSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.79	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	4.16	-1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.53	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.79	7.11	-3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.15	20.51	-6.35
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. QDSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the QDSNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and QDSNX, 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	QDSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.79	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	1.40	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	1.61	-1.05

Drawdowns

GRID vs. QDSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than QDSNX's maximum drawdown of -7.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and QDSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	QDSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-7.15%	-33.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-1.97%	-9.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-6.93%	-13.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-7.15%	-22.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.25%	-0.88%	-4.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	-1.45%	-6.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	0.68%	+2.46%

Volatility

GRID vs. QDSNX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.65% compared to AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N (QDSNX) at 1.55%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	QDSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.65%	1.55%	+7.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.87%	3.61%	+13.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.03%	5.02%	+15.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.11%	7.63%	+13.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	7.31%	+15.55%

GRID vs. QDSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than QDSNX's 3.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. QDSNX - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than QDSNX's 1.89% 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%
QDSNX AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund Class N	1.89%	1.99%	0.00%	11.18%	8.01%	5.99%	1.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GRID and QDSNX in my portfolio?

GRID and QDSNX have a correlation of 0.40, 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 QDSNX?

GRID has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to QDSNX (1.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs QDSNX's -7.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.22), 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.