MARM vs. GRID
MARM (FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MARM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. MARM is actively managed, while GRID is passively managed. Over the past year, MARM returned 6.99% vs 50.38% for GRID. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MARM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.
Performance
MARM vs. GRID - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MARM achieves a 3.21% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 29.16% return.
MARM
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.19%
- YTD
- 3.21%
- 6M
- 3.36%
- 1Y
- 6.99%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GRID
- 1D
- 1.46%
- 1M
- 2.61%
- YTD
- 29.16%
- 6M
- 28.54%
- 1Y
- 50.38%
- 3Y*
- 26.11%
- 5Y*
- 18.03%
- 10Y*
- 20.50%
MARM vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MARM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March | 3.21% | 7.04% | 5.93% |
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 29.16% | 29.65% | 5.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between MARM and GRID is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2024 | 0.59 |
The correlation between MARM and GRID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MARM vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank
MARM
GRID
MARM vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March (MARM) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (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.
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.
| MARM | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.90 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 2.08 | 1.42 | +0.66 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 11.19 | 4.32 | +6.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 66.30 | 15.44 | +50.86 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MARM vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MARM drawdown since its inception was -2.74%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MARM and GRID.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MARM | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.74% | -40.56% | +37.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.63% | -11.73% | +11.10% |
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 | -0.13% | -1.14% | +1.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.20% | -8.42% | +8.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.11% | 3.27% | -3.16% |
Volatility
MARM vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March (MARM) is 0.52%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 9.03%. This indicates that MARM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GRID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MARM | GRID | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.52% | 9.03% | -8.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.34% | 17.61% | -16.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.62% | 20.79% | -19.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.36% | 21.27% | -17.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.36% | 22.87% | -19.51% |
MARM vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison
MARM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
MARM vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison
MARM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 0.76% | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.23% |
MARM FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - March | 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
MARM and GRID have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (9.03%) compared to MARM (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MARM dropped -2.74% vs GRID's -40.56%.
On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 50.38% vs 6.99% for MARM. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, MARM has been the lower-risk option at 0.52%. 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 50.38% return vs 6.99%. 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 0.85% for MARM.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.76%, compared with 0.00% for MARM.
MARM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for MARM and 0.70% for GRID.
MARM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.34 vs 2.44), 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.
Find the right allocation for MARM and GRID
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