GRID vs. UGA
GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.76%/yr vs 14.43%/yr for UGA. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
GRID vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 28.91% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 75.49% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed UGA with an annualized return of 19.76%, while UGA has yielded a comparatively lower 14.43% annualized return.
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%
UGA
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -12.35%
- YTD
- 75.49%
- 6M
- 64.35%
- 1Y
- 80.94%
- 3Y*
- 22.21%
- 5Y*
- 25.10%
- 10Y*
- 14.43%
GRID vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index | 28.91% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -22.69% | 27.44% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 75.49% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -28.07% | 1.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and UGA is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2009 | 0.21 |
The correlation between GRID and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GRID vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
UGA
GRID vs. UGA - 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 United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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 | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.37 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.42 | 5.47 | -1.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.72 | 13.25 | +3.47 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GRID | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.67 | 2.32 | +0.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 | 0.73 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 | 0.39 | +0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.57 | 0.12 | +0.45 |
Drawdowns
GRID vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -86.59% | +46.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -14.88% | +3.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.77% | -26.68% | +5.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | -38.11% | +8.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | -75.89% | +35.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.33% | -12.35% | +11.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -36.76% | +28.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 6.13% | -3.04% |
Volatility
GRID vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) is 7.95%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 11.66%. This indicates that GRID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GRID | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.95% | 11.66% | -3.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.08% | 30.41% | -14.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.39% | 35.14% | -15.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.00% | 34.38% | -13.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.81% | 37.27% | -14.46% |
GRID vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, while UGA 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% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 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 UGA have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (11.66%) compared to GRID (7.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.76% vs 14.43% for UGA. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, GRID has been the lower-risk option at 7.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.76% return vs 14.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.75% for UGA.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.32), 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.
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