GRID vs. RAYS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) and RAYS (Global X Solar ETF) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - GRID tracks the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index while RAYS tracks the Solactive Solar Index. Both are passively managed. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for RAYS.

Performance

GRID vs. RAYS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and Global X Solar ETF (RAYS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

GRID

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 28.91%
• 6M: 29.60%
• 1Y: 51.55%
• 3Y*: 26.27%
• 5Y*: 17.84%
• 10Y*: 19.76%

RAYS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GRID vs. RAYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	15.46%
RAYS Global X Solar ETF	0.00%

GRID vs. RAYS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRID	RAYS
Industrials	65.2%	21.4%
Utilities	20.4%	6.8%
Technology	11.0%	66.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	4.0%
Basic Materials	0.0%	0.9%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GRID vs. RAYS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 79
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 74
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. RAYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) and Global X Solar ETF (RAYS). 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	RAYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.42	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.72	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GRID	RAYS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	—	—

Drawdowns

GRID vs. RAYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than RAYS's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and RAYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	RAYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	0.00%	-40.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	0.00%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	0.00%	-8.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GRID	RAYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.95%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.08%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.39%	0.00%	+19.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.00%	0.00%	+21.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.81%	0.00%	+22.81%

GRID vs. RAYS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than RAYS's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. RAYS - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, while RAYS 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	0.77%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
RAYS Global X Solar 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

Which ETF is better, GRID or RAYS?

On fees, RAYS is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or RAYS?

RAYS is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GRID or RAYS?

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.00% for RAYS.

What is the main difference between GRID and RAYS?

GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while RAYS tracks Solactive Solar Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.50% for RAYS.