GRID vs VYM
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GRID or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GRID led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $11.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 255 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.02%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | +20.62%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.04%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.05%Best | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,296Best | $17,718 |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2009 to Sep 17, 2026 (16.8 years).
GRID vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GRID returned +20.62% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, GRID is up 14.02% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, GRID compounded at +23.04% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.05% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, GRID has the edge at +11.48% annualized vs +9.96%.
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 13.1% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GRID charges 0.56% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $4 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GRID currently yields 0.80% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
26.0% of GRID's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.0% of VYM's money is in holdings GRID also owns.
GRID and VYM share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in GRID and 557 in VYM, against full books of 255 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 515 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GRID (89.0% of the fund), and 29 for GRID that do not appear in VYM (17.1%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 8.64% | 0.65% | 7.99% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 8.12% | 0.36% | 7.76% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.69% | 1.86% | 0.17% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 2.43% | 0.10% | 2.33% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 1.13% | 0.90% | 0.23% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.92% | 1.02% | 0.10% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.00% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.68% | 0.73% | 0.05% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.69% | 0.63% | 0.06% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 0.35% | 0.34% | 0.01% |
26.0% of GRID is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
GRID has an expense ratio of 0.56% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GRID or VYM?
Over the past year GRID returned +20.62% vs +16.61% for VYM, so GRID leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), GRID annualized +11.48% vs +9.96% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GRID or VYM?
GRID has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GRID -40.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GRID and VYM?
GRID and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 VYM?
26.0% of GRID's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.0% of VYM's is in holdings GRID also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in GRID and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GRID or VYM?
GRID yields 0.80% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GRID?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GRID led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.