GRID vs. UMI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and UMI (USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while UMI is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Wainwright, Inc.. GRID is passively managed, while UMI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GRID returned 16.83%/yr vs 19.88%/yr for UMI. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for UMI.

Performance

GRID vs. UMI - 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 USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GRID having a 23.59% return and UMI slightly higher at 24.00%.

GRID

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -4.22%
• YTD: 23.59%
• 6M: 24.02%
• 1Y: 43.17%
• 3Y*: 23.21%
• 5Y*: 16.83%
• 10Y*: 19.76%

UMI

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -1.25%
• YTD: 24.00%
• 6M: 23.82%
• 1Y: 25.24%
• 3Y*: 27.76%
• 5Y*: 19.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

GRID vs. UMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	23.59%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	2.12%
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	24.00%	5.11%	42.97%	14.60%	20.78%	20.97%	-8.25%	21.06%	-10.64%	2.76%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and UMI is 0.01, 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	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between GRID and UMI has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

GRID vs. UMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GRID	UMI
Industrials	24.4%	-
Technology	12.6%	-
Utilities	3.9%	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	-
Energy	1.6%	99.0%
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

GRID vs. UMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 73
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 69
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 78

UMI

UMI Risk / Return Rank: 64
UMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
UMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
UMI Omega Ratio Rank: 59
UMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
UMI Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. UMI - 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 USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI). 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	UMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.83	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.53	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	3.43	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.89	9.22	+3.67

GRID vs. UMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the UMI Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and UMI, 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. UMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum UMI drawdown of -48.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and UMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GRID	UMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-48.08%	+7.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-7.50%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.77%	-17.08%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-20.05%	-9.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.40%	-3.61%	-1.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.42%	-6.59%	-1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	2.79%	+0.46%

Volatility

GRID vs. UMI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 9.56% compared to USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) at 5.61%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GRID	UMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.56%	5.61%	+3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.70%	11.01%	+6.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.73%	14.09%	+6.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.24%	19.54%	+1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.90%	23.17%	-0.27%

GRID vs. UMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than UMI's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. UMI - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than UMI's 5.91% 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%
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	5.91%	6.23%	4.39%	4.67%	4.36%	3.00%	2.18%	2.47%	2.48%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GRID and UMI in my portfolio?

GRID and UMI have a correlation of 0.01, 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 UMI?

GRID has higher volatility (9.56%) compared to UMI (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs UMI's -48.08%.

Which ETF is better, GRID or UMI?

On 5-year performance, UMI leads with 19.88% vs 16.83% for GRID. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, UMI has been the lower-risk option at 5.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GRID or UMI?

Over the 5-year period, UMI has performed better with a 19.88% return vs 16.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GRID or UMI?

GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UMI.

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

UMI has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 0.80% for GRID.

What is the main difference between GRID and UMI?

GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while UMI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Wainwright, Inc.. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.85% for UMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.83), 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.