XSSW.L vs. GRID

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XSSW.L (Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - XSSW.L is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Communication Services 20-35 Custom 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 year, XSSW.L returned 25.90% vs 52.06% for GRID. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XSSW.L charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for GRID.

Performance

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP (XSSW.L) and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

XSSW.L is traded in GBP, while GRID is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the GRID values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSSW.L achieves a 3.87% return, which is significantly lower than GRID's 29.34% return.

XSSW.L

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -0.30%
• YTD: 3.87%
• 6M: 2.52%
• 1Y: 25.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GRID

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 2.75%
• YTD: 29.34%
• 6M: 27.51%
• 1Y: 52.06%
• 3Y*: 23.39%
• 5Y*: 19.10%
• 10Y*: 20.39%

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

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XSSW.L Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP	3.87%	20.12%	36.87%	8.80%
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	29.34%	20.42%	17.20%	4.98%

Correlation

The correlation between XSSW.L and GRID is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2023	0.30

Return for Risk

XSSW.L vs. GRID — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSSW.L

XSSW.L Risk / Return Rank: 59
XSSW.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
XSSW.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XSSW.L Omega Ratio Rank: 54
XSSW.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
XSSW.L Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP (XSSW.L) 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.

	XSSW.L	GRID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.99	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.80	-0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.51	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	5.42	-2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.02	17.61	-6.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSSW.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is lower than the GRID Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSSW.L 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

	XSSW.L	GRID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	2.99	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.57	0.67	+0.90

Drawdowns

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSSW.L drawdown since its inception was -20.71%, smaller than the maximum GRID drawdown of -34.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSSW.L and GRID.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSSW.L	GRID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.71%	-34.09%	+13.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-9.65%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.93%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.17%	-0.29%	-2.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.07%	-6.98%	+3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.97%	-0.62%

Volatility

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP (XSSW.L) is 3.93%, while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that XSSW.L 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

	XSSW.L	GRID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	7.12%	-3.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	14.24%	-4.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.23%	17.51%	-4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.69%	18.71%	-3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	21.48%	-5.79%

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSSW.L has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than GRID's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSSW.L vs. GRID - Dividend Comparison

XSSW.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%.

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%
XSSW.L Xtrackers MSCI World Communication Services UCITS ETF 1C GBP	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

Can I hold both XSSW.L and GRID in my portfolio?

XSSW.L and GRID have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XSSW.L or GRID?

On fees, XSSW.L is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSSW.L or GRID?

XSSW.L is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for GRID.

What is the main difference between XSSW.L and GRID?

XSSW.L is categorized as Communications Equities, while GRID is Alternative Energy Equities. XSSW.L tracks MSCI World Communication Services 20-35 Custom Index, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XSSW.L and 0.70% for GRID.