PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

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

GRID vs. VEXAX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while VEXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.34%/yr vs 11.69%/yr for VEXAX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VEXAX.

Performance

GRID vs. VEXAX - 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 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX). 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 23.80% return, which is significantly higher than VEXAX's 11.26% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed VEXAX with an annualized return of 19.34%, while VEXAX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.69% annualized return.

GRID

1D
0.94%
1M
-4.01%
YTD
23.80%
6M
23.19%
1Y
44.25%
3Y*
24.20%
5Y*
16.92%
10Y*
19.34%

VEXAX

1D
-3.30%
1M
1.02%
YTD
11.26%
6M
9.73%
1Y
24.34%
3Y*
18.43%
5Y*
6.07%
10Y*
11.69%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GRID vs. VEXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GRID
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund		23.80%29.65%15.18%21.57%-13.89%27.65%48.84%42.80%-22.69%27.44%
VEXAX
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		11.26%11.42%15.47%26.95%-26.46%12.45%32.22%28.03%-9.37%18.11%

Correlation

The correlation between GRID and VEXAX is 0.73, 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

0.73

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

0.80

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

0.83

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2009

0.73

The correlation between GRID and VEXAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

GRID vs. VEXAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
GRID
VEXAX

Industrials

65.2%
19.3%

Utilities

20.4%
2.0%

Technology

11.0%
19.8%

Consumer Cyclical

3.5%
9.7%

Basic Materials

0.0%
4.2%

Communication Services

-

3.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.7%

Energy

-

5.1%

Financial Services

-

14.6%

Healthcare

-

13.3%

Real Estate

-

6.0%

Industrials

GRID
65.2%
VEXAX
19.3%

Utilities

GRID
20.4%
VEXAX
2.0%

Technology

GRID
11.0%
VEXAX
19.8%

Consumer Cyclical

GRID
3.5%
VEXAX
9.7%

Basic Materials

GRID
0.0%
VEXAX
4.2%

Communication Services

GRID

-

VEXAX
3.3%

Consumer Defensive

GRID

-

VEXAX
2.7%

Energy

GRID

-

VEXAX
5.1%

Financial Services

GRID

-

VEXAX
14.6%

Healthcare

GRID

-

VEXAX
13.3%

Real Estate

GRID

-

VEXAX
6.0%

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

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with GRID:
GRID vs. ICLNGRID vs. NLRGRID vs. VOOGRID vs. FIWGRID vs. POWRGRID vs. VOLTGRID vs. QCLN
Often compared with VEXAX:
VEXAX vs. VIMAXVEXAX vs. VIEIXVEXAX vs. VOOVEXAX vs. VEMAXVEXAX vs. VTIVEXAX vs. VINIXVEXAX vs. VASVX

Return for Risk

GRID vs. VEXAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GRID
GRID Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
VEXAX
VEXAX Risk / Return Rank: 3535
Overall Rank
VEXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
VEXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
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. VEXAX - 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 Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX). 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.

GRIDVEXAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.22
1.49

+0.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.91
2.10

+0.81

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.26

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.79

2.54

+1.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.15

8.96

+5.20

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GRID vs. VEXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GRID Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VEXAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GRID and VEXAX, 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...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

GRIDVEXAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.22

1.49

+0.74

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.27

+0.53

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.85

0.52

+0.33

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.56

0.37

+0.19

Drawdowns

GRID vs. VEXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum VEXAX drawdown of -58.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and VEXAX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

GRIDVEXAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.56%

-58.08%

+17.52%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.73%

-10.25%

-1.48%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.77%

-26.84%

+6.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.64%

-36.33%

+6.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.56%

-41.62%

+1.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.25%

-3.30%

-1.95%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.43%

-12.18%

+3.75%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.14%

2.90%

+0.24%

Volatility

GRID vs. VEXAX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 8.65% compared to Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) at 5.84%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEXAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

GRIDVEXAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.65%

5.84%

+2.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.87%

12.93%

+3.94%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.03%

17.53%

+2.50%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.11%

22.39%

-1.28%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.86%

22.38%

+0.48%

GRID vs. VEXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXAX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

GRID vs. VEXAX - Dividend Comparison

GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than VEXAX's 1.04% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VEXAX
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.04%1.14%1.09%1.25%1.15%1.13%1.07%1.30%1.66%1.25%1.43%1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

GRID and VEXAX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GRID has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to VEXAX (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs VEXAX's -58.08%.

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.49), 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 VEXAX

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