SDVD vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SDVD (FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF) and GRID (First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index) are both exchange-traded funds - SDVD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Nasdaq US Small-Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SDVD returned 19.64% vs 51.55% for GRID. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDVD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

SDVD vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (SDVD) and First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVD achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.91% return.

SDVD

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.53%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 8.14%
• 1Y: 19.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

SDVD vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SDVD FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	7.75%	8.66%	11.82%	10.25%
GRID First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index	28.91%	29.65%	15.18%	5.25%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVD and GRID is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2023	0.70

The correlation between SDVD and GRID shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.70 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SDVD vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVD

SDVD Risk / Return Rank: 43
SDVD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SDVD Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SDVD Omega Ratio Rank: 38
SDVD Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SDVD Martin Ratio Rank: 47

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 79
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 74
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SDVD vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (SDVD) 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.

	SDVD	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.67	-1.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	3.50	-1.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.45	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	4.42	-2.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.65	16.72	-9.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDVD vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVD Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVD and GRID, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SDVD	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	2.67	-1.29
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	0.77	0.57	+0.20

Drawdowns

SDVD vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVD drawdown since its inception was -24.17%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVD and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVD	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.17%	-40.56%	+16.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.76%	-11.73%	+2.97%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.31%	-1.33%	-1.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.86%	-8.43%	+3.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	3.09%	-0.52%

Volatility

SDVD vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (SDVD) is 3.78%, while First Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart GRID Infrastructure Index (GRID) has a volatility of 7.95%. This indicates that SDVD 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.

Volatility by Period

	SDVD	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.78%	7.95%	-4.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.33%	16.08%	-5.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.31%	19.39%	-5.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.19%	21.00%	-2.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.19%	22.81%	-4.62%

SDVD vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVD vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

SDVD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.95%, more than GRID's 0.77% 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%
SDVD FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF	8.95%	8.36%	9.26%	3.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVD and GRID in my portfolio?

SDVD and GRID have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVD or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (7.95%) compared to SDVD (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVD dropped -24.17% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, SDVD or GRID?

On 1-year performance, GRID leads with 51.55% vs 19.64% for SDVD. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, SDVD has been the lower-risk option at 3.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVD or GRID?

Over the 1-year period, GRID has performed better with a 51.55% return vs 19.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVD or GRID?

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

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

SDVD has the higher dividend yield at 8.95%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between SDVD and GRID?

SDVD is categorized as Derivative Income, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. SDVD tracks Nasdaq US Small-Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while GRID tracks NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for SDVD and 0.70% for GRID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.38), 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.