AIHY
Not rated
No published distribution safety rating is available.
ETF Comparison
AIHY vs GRID: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Updated November 6, 2026
No track record yet. AIHY launched within the last six months. The forward distribution rate is left blank until a payout is published.
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Price and total return
Compare the same available dates. Add a ticker or benchmark below; these controls change the chart only. The snapshot and article describe the original comparison.
Interactive history loads here. The snapshot and period returns remain available when chart history cannot be loaded.
Distribution Safety Score
An estimate of distribution reliability, not price or principal safety, a probability, or a guarantee. Score methodology.
GRID
Safe
High confidence
Score snapshot as of . Method 1.11.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  AIHY |  GRID |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF | First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund |
| Issuer | Defiance ETFs | First Trust |
| Last Close | $20.46 as of November 6, 2026 | $154.21 as of November 6, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | — | 0.92% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | — | 1.00% |
| 30-day SEC yield | 1.31% | — |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | — | 83 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | — | 0.76% |
| Expense ratio | 0.37% | 0.56% |
| AUM | $16.5M | $11.3B |
| Distribution frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index |
| Objective | Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in the companies building and operating the compute backbone of artificial intelligence — spanning AI compute infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centers, semiconductors, and AI software. Holdings must derive at least 50% of revenues, assets, or spending from AI and demonstrate revenue growing faster than operating expenses. | Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 07/20/2026 | 11/16/2009 |
| Beta | — | 1.42 |
| Last dividend | — | $0.353 |
| Ex-dividend date | — | 09/24/2026 |
— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because AIHY launched July 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
AIHY has outpaced GRID over the year to date, posting a 1.66% total return against 0.00%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | Since Jul 2026 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIHY | 1.66% | 1.66% | 28.8% | 0.05 | 0.07 | -13.0% |
| GRID | 0.00% | -15.45% | 28.7% | -2.08 | -2.53 | -19.5% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of November 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 21, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the shared window since Jul 2026. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the shared window since Jul 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Distribution rate and SEC yield
| Metric | AIHY | GRID |
|---|---|---|
| Forward distribution rate | — | 0.92% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | — | 1.00% |
| 30-day SEC yield | 1.31% | — |
Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Bottom lineWe won't call this one: AIHY launched July 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional. What is already clear from the numbers above: the two do not cost the same — AIHY charges 0.37% against 0.56% for GRID, and on funds tracking the same thing that gap compounds every year you hold.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
ETFs91
Total AUM$9.47B
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Defiance ETFs is known for offering specialized and thematic investment strategies that cater to niche market segments and alternative income approaches. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused funds, leveraged strategies, combinations of leverage with income generation, and thematic products tied to emerging trends and sectors. Defiance emphasizes non-traditional and differentiated strategies rather than broad-based index exposure, appealing to investors seeking targeted exposure beyond conventional ETF offerings.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on AIHY.
ETFs329
Total AUM$290B
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
First Trust is known for offering a diverse lineup of actively and passively managed ETFs across multiple investment styles and asset classes. Their fund families span income-focused strategies including dividend and covered call approaches, as well as thematic, factor-based, alternatives, and sector-specific offerings that appeal to different investor objectives. The issuer provides breadth across allocation, bond, buffer, commodities, and municipal fund categories, making them a comprehensive provider serving various portfolio construction and income-generation needs.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on GRID.
Quick verdict
AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
GRID currently shows a 0.92% distribution yield. AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
AIHY is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.37% compared to 0.56%.
GRID has $11.3B in assets vs $16.5M for AIHY, but AIHY only launched July 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.
Top-holdings overlap
Positions that appear in every fund's top 10. Issuers disclose only the largest weights, so this captures the overlap of the concentrated end of each book — not the full portfolios.
— shared positions
AIHY top-10 holdings unavailable
GRID 0.0% of its top-10 weight
Top-10 holdings unavailable for AIHY — cannot compute overlap.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment at current distribution rates, AIHY has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while GRID would pay about $92.00 a year (about $23.00 per quarterly distribution).
AIHY yield—
GRID yield0.92%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, AIHY would cost approximately $370 in fees vs $560 for GRID (simplified, not compounded). The $190.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
AIHY ER0.37%
GRID ER0.56%
Strategy & risk
AIHY is an ETF built around technology exposure, while GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach.
AIHY beta—
GRID beta1.42
Fund details
AIHY is managed by Defiance ETFs (launched 07/20/2026) with $16.5M in assets. GRID is managed by First Trust (launched 11/16/2009) with $11.3B in assets.
AIHY AUM$16.5M
GRID AUM$11.3B
Frequently asked questions
Which of AIHY or GRID pays more dividend income?
GRID currently reports a distribution yield, while AIHY has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.
What is the difference between AIHY and GRID?
AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure, while GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach. They are issued by Defiance ETFs and First Trust respectively.
Can I hold both AIHY and GRID?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, AIHY or GRID?
AIHY has an expense ratio of 0.37% while GRID charges 0.56%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in AIHY vs GRID generate?
At current distribution rates, AIHY has not established a distribution history yet, so a cash estimate is not available. $10,000 in GRID would pay about $92.00 a year (about $23.00 per quarterly distribution).
Which has performed better historically, AIHY or GRID?
AIHY has outpaced GRID over the year to date, posting a 1.66% total return against 0.00%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
More comparisons to explore
People also compare AIHY with
People also compare GRID with
Popular comparisons
AIHY vs GRID — at a glance
Generated October 31, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
AIHY and GRID are both thematic equity ETFs targeting infrastructure-adjacent sectors but with fundamentally different exposures. AIHY focuses on companies deriving at least 50% of revenues from artificial intelligence compute and infrastructure — semiconductors, data centers, cloud platforms, and AI software. GRID tracks utilities, electrification, and grid modernization through the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. They represent opposite poles of tech infrastructure: one betting on AI's computational backbone, the other on electrical grid resilience and smart energy systems.
How they differ
The single biggest difference is their underlying strategy: AIHY is an active thematic fund screening for AI-revenue exposure, while GRID is an index fund tracking a predetermined basket of grid and electrification stocks. That fundamental distinction means AIHY's holdings can shift as companies' AI exposure changes, whereas GRID's composition follows a published index methodology.
Second, their yield profiles diverge sharply. GRID distributes 0.92% quarterly, providing steadier periodic income. AIHY's expense ratio of 0.37% trails GRID's 0.56%, a difference of 19 basis points.
Third, scale and fund maturity present stark contrasts. GRID holds $11.3B in assets, roughly 600 times AIHY's $16.5M, and has operated 16 years. AIHY launched 3 months, making it a newly established fund with minimal trading history.
Who each is best for
AIHY: Fits investors seeking concentrated exposure to companies whose revenue models center on AI compute infrastructure and software, with a high tolerance for volatility, minimal near-term income requirements, and conviction that AI capex and infrastructure buildout will remain a durable growth driver.
GRID: Designed for investors wanting broad exposure to electrification, grid modernization, and utility-scale infrastructure through a diversified index vehicle, who value quarterly income alongside growth and prefer established funds with deep liquidity and stable underlying indexes.
Key risks to know
- Extreme concentration in a nascent narrative. AIHY's active screening for AI-revenue concentration means the fund's holdings are highly correlated to a single macro thesis: sustained enterprise and government spending on AI compute. If that capex cycle slows, valuation multiples may contract sharply across the entire portfolio.
- Severe fund-scale risk. At $16.5M in assets, AIHY faces heightened vulnerability to closure, forced liquidation, or inability to track its strategy efficiently during market stress. Bid-ask spreads may widen meaningfully, and inflows or outflows can distort pricing in small ETFs.
- Policy and regulatory uncertainty in grid infrastructure. GRID's holdings depend on utility regulation, energy policy, and grid investment cycles; shifts in energy subsidies, rate design, or electrification incentives can pressure valuations across the sector. Grid stocks also carry interest-rate sensitivity given their utility-like cash flows and long-duration assets.
- Valuation cyclicality in AI infrastructure. AIHY's holdings — particularly semiconductors and data centers — are prone to boom-bust cycles tied to capex waves. Historical patterns show AI infrastructure rallies often precede sharp corrections once consensus expectations are priced in.
- Index drift and rebalancing in small funds. AIHY's annual distribution frequency and active screening approach may incur higher turnover than a passive index fund, introducing tracking divergence questions worth investigating.
Bottom line
If you want exposure to AI's hardware and infrastructure buildout, AIHY offers active screening for AI-revenue exposure; if you prioritize diversified electrification and grid infrastructure with steady income and proven fund stability, GRID's index approach and $11.3B asset base provide that. AIHY's extreme smallness and narrowly focused thesis carry pronounced liquidity and concentration risks that suit shorter time horizons and strong conviction; GRID fits longer-term allocations to thematic infrastructure. Past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.