GRID ETF — First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID)

GRID is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. its distribution rate is 0.80%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.80%, its expense ratio is 0.56%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 78/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 607.3% over the past 16.8 years, 216.6 points behind SPY at 823.9%.

At the current 0.80% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $80 per year, or about $20.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, investing at least 90% of its assets in companies engaged in electric grid infrastructure, smart meters and devices, energy storage and management, and enabling software for the smart grid sector. The fund carries a low expense ratio of 0.56% and distributes quarterly at a modest current distribution rate. It appeals to investors seeking exposure to the electrification and smart grid infrastructure sectors.

GRID performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-09-18.

Total return is 607.3% over the past 16.8 years, 216.6 points behind SPY at 823.9%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 20.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 15.8%.

GRID key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

78 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.62%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

11/16/2009

Expense ratio

0.56%

Distribution rate

0.80%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.80%

Last close

$178.25 (as of 2026-09-18)

NAV

$174.28

Premium / discount

2.28% premium

AUM

$11,607,048,535

Average volume

659600.0

Last dividend

$0.756

Last ex-dividend date

06/25/2026 (as of 2026-06-25)

Last payment date

06/30/2026 (as of 2026-06-30)

Beta

1.44

P/E ratio

28.9434

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.80%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.80%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; Index: Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

GRID risks and drawbacks

GRID's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 15.8%.

Who may consider GRID — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (GRID pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare GRID

GRID vs similar funds:

• GRID vs NLR
• GRID vs ZAP
• GRID vs PWER
• GRID vs AIHY
• GRID vs AIHY vs NLR

Frequently asked questions

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