UL vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

UL (Unilever PLC) is a stock, while GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) is Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. Over the past 10 years, UL returned 5.24%/yr vs 19.95%/yr for GRID. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

UL vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Unilever PLC (UL) 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, UL achieves a -7.84% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 23.40% return. Over the past 10 years, UL has underperformed GRID with an annualized return of 5.24%, while GRID has yielded a comparatively higher 19.95% annualized return.

UL

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.31%
• YTD: -7.84%
• 6M: -8.30%
• 1Y: -12.67%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 1.16%
• 10Y*: 5.24%

GRID

• 1D: -4.46%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 23.40%
• 6M: 22.11%
• 1Y: 42.41%
• 3Y*: 24.21%
• 5Y*: 16.63%
• 10Y*: 19.95%

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

UL vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UL Unilever PLC	-7.84%	5.96%	20.90%	-0.17%	-2.82%	-7.61%	9.04%	12.88%	-2.34%	40.15%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	23.40%	29.65%	15.18%	21.57%	-13.89%	27.65%	48.84%	42.80%	-22.69%	27.44%

Correlation

The correlation between UL and GRID is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2009	0.33

The correlation between UL and GRID shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

UL vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

UL

UL Risk / Return Rank: 19
UL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
UL Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
UL Omega Ratio Rank: 17
UL Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
UL Martin Ratio Rank: 21

GRID

GRID Risk / Return Rank: 65
GRID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
GRID Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GRID Omega Ratio Rank: 60
GRID Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
GRID Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

UL vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Unilever PLC (UL) 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.

	UL	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.59	2.01	-2.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.70	2.63	-3.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.35	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.51	3.63	-4.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.01	12.92	-13.93

UL vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UL Sharpe Ratio is -0.59, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UL 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.

Drawdowns

UL vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UL drawdown since its inception was -53.55%, which is greater than GRID's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UL and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	UL	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.55%	-40.56%	-12.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.09%	-11.73%	-13.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.09%	-20.77%	-4.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.66%	-29.64%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.13%	-40.56%	+10.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.19%	-5.55%	-13.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.61%	-8.42%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.50%	3.29%	+9.21%

Volatility

UL vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Unilever PLC (UL) is 6.90%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 10.12%. This indicates that UL 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

	UL	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.90%	10.12%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.99%	18.23%	-1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	21.26%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.92%	21.37%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	22.80%	-1.29%

Dividends

UL vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

UL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.85%, more than GRID's 0.80% 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	0.80%	1.01%	1.06%	1.23%	1.26%	0.63%	0.68%	1.26%	1.28%	1.07%	1.07%	1.23%
UL Unilever PLC	3.85%	3.51%	3.29%	3.83%	3.57%	3.77%	3.07%	3.18%	3.49%	2.80%	3.42%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UL and GRID in my portfolio?

UL and GRID have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UL or GRID?

GRID has higher volatility (10.12%) compared to UL (6.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UL dropped -53.55% vs GRID's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs -0.59), 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.