GRID vs VTI
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GRID or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GRID led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GRID | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 255 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.92%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +20.39%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.55%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.79%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,931Best | $17,908 |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.8 years).
GRID vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.8 years both funds cover.
GRID vs VTI Performance
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GRID returned +20.39% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, GRID is up 14.92% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, GRID compounded at +23.55% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.79% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.47% annualized vs +11.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GRID has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 14.8% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -40.5% for GRID and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GRID charges 0.56% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $3 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GRID currently yields 0.80% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
44.5% of GRID's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.0% of VTI's money is in holdings GRID also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
40 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in GRID and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 255 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,117 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GRID (86.5% of the fund), and 3 for GRID that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GRID | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 8.64% | 0.22% | 8.42% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.25% | 6.40% | 4.15% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 8.12% | 0.12% | 8.00% |
| PWRQuanta Services Inc | 7.34% | 0.14% | 7.20% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.82% | 1.22% | 0.60% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.74% | 0.03% | 2.71% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 2.43% | 0.03% | 2.40% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.69% | 0.57% | 1.12% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 1.13% | 0.31% | 0.82% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.92% | 0.35% | 0.57% |
44.5% of GRID is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GRID or VTI?
GRID has an expense ratio of 0.56% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GRID or VTI?
Over the past year GRID returned +20.39% vs +16.08% for VTI, so GRID leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), GRID annualized +11.53% vs +12.47% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GRID or VTI?
GRID has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GRID -40.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GRID and VTI?
GRID and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GRID and VTI?
44.5% of GRID's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.0% of VTI's is in holdings GRID also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in GRID and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GRID or VTI?
GRID yields 0.80% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GRID?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GRID led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.