TUSA vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - TUSA is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Total US Market Index, while GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TUSA returned 10.84%/yr vs 19.50%/yr for GRID. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

TUSA vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TUSA achieves a 7.45% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 28.82% return. Over the past 10 years, TUSA has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 10.84%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 19.50% annualized return.

TUSA

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: -1.71%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 19.84%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

GRID

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 28.82%
• 6M: 28.40%
• 1Y: 50.60%
• 3Y*: 26.57%
• 5Y*: 17.83%
• 10Y*: 19.50%

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

TUSA vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	7.45%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	24.79%	14.16%	24.29%	-10.35%	20.07%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	28.82%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and GRID is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2009	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between TUSA and GRID has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

TUSA vs. GRID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUSA	GRID
Financial Services	31.9%	-
Industrials	19.8%	65.2%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	3.5%
Basic Materials	14.1%	0.0%
Utilities	7.5%	20.4%
Technology	6.1%	11.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	-
Real Estate	2.1%	-
Healthcare	2.0%	-
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Energy	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUSA

TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 49
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 43
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 49

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 80
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 76
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
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.

TUSA vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) 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.

	TUSA	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.62	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.45	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.44	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	4.34	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.12	16.40	-8.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUSA vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA 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

	TUSA	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.62	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.85	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.86	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.57	-0.25

Drawdowns

TUSA vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUSA	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-40.56%	-15.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-11.73%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-20.77%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	-29.64%	+6.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-40.56%	-1.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-1.40%	-2.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-8.43%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	3.09%	-0.64%

Volatility

TUSA vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) is 3.58%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 7.75%. This indicates that TUSA 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

	TUSA	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	7.75%	-4.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	16.08%	-7.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.90%	19.38%	-6.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	21.00%	-3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	22.80%	-2.66%

TUSA vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TUSA and GRID have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

TUSA vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, 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 Fund	0.77%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	1.64%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUSA and GRID in my portfolio?

TUSA and GRID have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TUSA or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (7.75%) compared to TUSA (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which ETF is better, TUSA or GRID?

On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.50% vs 10.84% for TUSA. Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. On volatility, TUSA has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUSA or GRID?

Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.50% return vs 10.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUSA or GRID?

TUSA and GRID have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

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

TUSA has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.77% for GRID.

What is the main difference between TUSA and GRID?

TUSA is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. TUSA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Total US Market Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.55), 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.