PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
GRID vs. TECB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GRID vs. TECB

Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Documentation

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and TECB (iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while TECB is a Technology Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet U.S. Tech Breakthrough Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 14.88%/yr vs 11.80%/yr for TECB. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for TECB.

Performance

GRID vs. TECB - 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. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than TECB's 15.26% 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%

TECB

1D
-0.07%
1M
-1.77%
6M
15.72%
YTD
15.26%
1Y
21.27%
3Y*
22.33%
5Y*
11.80%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
17.40%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GRID vs. TECB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		16.26%29.65%15.18%21.57%-13.89%27.65%47.15%
TECB
iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF		15.26%14.86%24.38%57.53%-34.39%19.60%39.90%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and TECB is 0.66, 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

0.66

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

0.73

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

0.76

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 10, 2020

0.73

The correlation between GRID and TECB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

GRID vs. TECB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GRID
TECB

Industrials

67.4%
1.0%

Utilities

17.3%

-

Technology

11.6%
59.2%

Consumer Cyclical

3.6%
5.3%

Energy

1.6%
0.6%

Basic Materials

0.0%

-

Communication Services

-

12.1%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

8.3%

Healthcare

-

11.8%

Real Estate

-

1.6%

Industrials

GRID
67.4%
TECB
1.0%

Utilities

GRID
17.3%
TECB

-

Technology

GRID
11.6%
TECB
59.2%

Consumer Cyclical

GRID
3.6%
TECB
5.3%

Energy

GRID
1.6%
TECB
0.6%

Basic Materials

GRID
0.0%
TECB

-

Communication Services

GRID

-

TECB
12.1%

Consumer Defensive

GRID

-

TECB

-

Financial Services

GRID

-

TECB
8.3%

Healthcare

GRID

-

TECB
11.8%

Real Estate

GRID

-

TECB
1.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF

Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. POWRGRID vs. VOLTGRID vs. PAVEGRID vs. FIW
Often compared with TECB:
TECB vs. AIQTECB vs. BTEKTECB vs. QQQMTECB vs. VGTTECB vs. IETCTECB vs. XLKTECB vs. IHAK

Return for Risk

GRID vs. TECB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
TECB
TECB Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
TECB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TECB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
TECB Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
TECB Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
TECB Martin Ratio Rank: 3333
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. TECB - 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. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB). 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.

GRIDTECBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.15
1.15

-0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.62
1.65

-0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.20

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.15

1.32

+0.84

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.50

3.69

+2.81

GRID vs. TECB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the TECB Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and TECB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

GRID vs. TECB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, roughly equal to the maximum TECB drawdown of -41.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and TECB.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

GRIDTECBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.56%

-41.62%

+1.06%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.73%

-16.24%

+4.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.62%

-23.91%

+3.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.64%

-41.62%

+11.98%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.56%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.01%

-5.41%

-5.60%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.41%

-10.07%

+1.66%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.88%

5.77%

-1.89%

Volatility

GRID vs. TECB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.76% compared to iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB) at 5.22%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TECB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

GRIDTECBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.76%

5.22%

+3.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.36%

15.05%

+4.31%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.09%

18.57%

+3.52%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.51%

23.75%

-2.24%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.72%

25.34%

-2.62%

GRID vs. TECB - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

GRID vs. TECB - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, more than TECB's 0.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
TECB
iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF		0.31%0.33%0.35%0.23%0.61%0.35%0.77%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

GRID and TECB have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GRID has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to TECB (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs TECB's -41.62%.

On 5-year performance, GRID leads with 14.88% vs 11.80% for TECB. On fees, TECB is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, TECB has been the lower-risk option at 5.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, GRID has performed better with a 14.88% return vs 11.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.81%, compared with 0.31% for TECB.

GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while TECB is Technology Equities. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while TECB tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Tech Breakthrough Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.40% for TECB.

TECB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 1.15), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for GRID and TECB

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