GRID vs. ZAP
GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) and ZAP (Global X U.S. Electrification ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while ZAP is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Global X U.S. Electrification Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GRID returned 51.55% vs 28.84% for ZAP. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for ZAP.
Performance
GRID vs. ZAP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 28.91% return, which is significantly higher than ZAP's 15.14% 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%
ZAP
- 1D
- -0.63%
- 1M
- -3.98%
- YTD
- 15.14%
- 6M
- 13.19%
- 1Y
- 28.84%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GRID vs. ZAP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index | 28.91% | 29.65% | -0.15% |
ZAP Global X U.S. Electrification ETF | 15.14% | 21.84% | 1.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and ZAP is 0.61, 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 | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024 | 0.63 |
The correlation between GRID and ZAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GRID vs. ZAP — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
ZAP
GRID vs. ZAP - 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 Global X U.S. Electrification ETF (ZAP). 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 | ZAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.88 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.33 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.42 | 4.01 | +0.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.72 | 10.25 | +6.46 |
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 | ZAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.67 | 1.92 | +0.76 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.57 | 1.63 | -1.06 |
Drawdowns
GRID vs. ZAP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than ZAP's maximum drawdown of -12.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and ZAP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | ZAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -12.38% | -28.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -7.23% | -4.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.77% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.33% | -4.11% | +2.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -2.57% | -5.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 2.83% | +0.26% |
Volatility
GRID vs. ZAP - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a higher volatility of 7.95% compared to Global X U.S. Electrification ETF (ZAP) at 6.28%. This indicates that GRID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GRID | ZAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.95% | 6.28% | +1.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.08% | 11.74% | +4.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.39% | 15.13% | +4.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.00% | 16.91% | +4.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.81% | 16.91% | +5.90% |
GRID vs. ZAP - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than ZAP's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. ZAP - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than ZAP's 1.55% yield.
| 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% |
ZAP Global X U.S. Electrification ETF | 1.55% | 1.81% | 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 ZAP have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to ZAP (6.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs ZAP's -12.38%.
On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 51.55% vs 28.84% for ZAP. On fees, ZAP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ZAP has been the lower-risk option at 6.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, GRID has performed better with a 51.55% return vs 28.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ZAP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.
ZAP has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while ZAP is Utilities Equities. GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while ZAP tracks Global X U.S. Electrification Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 0.50% for ZAP.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.92), 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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