GRID vs. SPOT

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while SPOT (Spotify Technology S.A.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 14.88%/yr vs 14.71%/yr for SPOT. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GRID vs. SPOT - 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 Spotify Technology S.A. (SPOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than SPOT's -15.22% 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%

SPOT

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: 5.18%
• 6M: -2.41%
• YTD: -15.22%
• 1Y: -29.21%
• 3Y*: 42.06%
• 5Y*: 14.71%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.01%

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

GRID vs. SPOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%	-18.77%
SPOT Spotify Technology S.A.	-15.22%	29.80%	138.08%	138.01%	-66.27%	-25.62%	110.40%	31.76%	-31.59%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and SPOT is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2018	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between GRID and SPOT has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GRID vs. SPOT — 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

SPOT

SPOT Risk / Return Rank: 18
SPOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SPOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
SPOT Omega Ratio Rank: 17
SPOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SPOT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. SPOT - 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 Spotify Technology S.A. (SPOT). 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	SPOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	-0.65	+1.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	-0.76	+2.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	0.90	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	-0.66	+2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.50	-1.10	+7.60

GRID vs. SPOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is higher than the SPOT Sharpe Ratio of -0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and SPOT, 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. SPOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum SPOT drawdown of -80.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and SPOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	SPOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-80.51%	+39.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-44.11%	+32.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.62%	-46.80%	+26.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-76.39%	+46.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.01%	-36.55%	+25.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-30.96%	+22.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	26.55%	-22.67%

Volatility

GRID vs. SPOT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) and Spotify Technology S.A. (SPOT) have volatilities of 8.76% and 8.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	SPOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.76%	8.93%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	37.30%	-17.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.09%	44.99%	-22.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	47.60%	-26.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.72%	47.21%	-24.49%

Dividends

GRID vs. SPOT - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, while SPOT 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%
SPOT Spotify Technology S.A.	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 SPOT in my portfolio?

GRID and SPOT have a correlation of 0.03, 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 SPOT?

SPOT has higher volatility (8.93%) compared to GRID (8.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs SPOT's -80.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs -0.65), 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.