ICLN vs. GRID

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID).

ICLN and GRID are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ICLN is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. It was launched on Jun 24, 2008. GRID is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Nov 17, 2009. Both ICLN and GRID are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

ICLN vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ICLN vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	11.08%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	9.08%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICLN achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly higher than GRID's 9.08% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLN has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 8.94%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 18.31% annualized return.

ICLN

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -0.44%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 15.82%
• 1Y: 61.77%
• 3Y*: -1.04%
• 5Y*: -4.16%
• 10Y*: 8.94%

GRID

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: -5.47%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.98%
• 1Y: 48.00%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 15.14%
• 10Y*: 18.31%

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

ICLN vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICLN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

GRID

First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index

ICLN

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF

Return for Risk

ICLN vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ICLN Martin Ratio Rank: 95

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 94
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 92
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

ICLN vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). 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.

	ICLN	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.25	+0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.04	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.60	4.18	+1.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.65	15.64	+0.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ICLN vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICLN and GRID, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ICLN	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.25	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.15	0.74	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.81	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.12	0.53	-0.65

Correlation

The correlation between ICLN and GRID is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

ICLN vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

ICLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than GRID's 0.90% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.47%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	0.90%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%

Drawdowns

ICLN vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICLN drawdown since its inception was -87.15%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLN and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICLN	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.15%	-40.56%	-46.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.22%	-11.73%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.16%	-29.64%	-27.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.75%	-40.56%	-26.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.31%	-6.55%	-43.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-66.84%	-8.50%	-58.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.01%	3.14%	+0.87%

Volatility

ICLN vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a higher volatility of 10.23% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) at 8.59%. This indicates that ICLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICLN	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.23%	8.59%	+1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.47%	14.24%	+6.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.14%	21.49%	+4.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.16%	20.69%	+6.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.04%	22.74%	+4.30%