DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

AIHY vs GRID vs NLR: Which Fits Each Goal in 2026?

A side-by-side comparison of Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF, First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund and VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

AIHY tops the group over the shared window since Jul 2026 with a 8.74% total return, against GRID at -1.05% and NLR at -1.27%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolSince Jul 2026
AIHY8.74%
GRID-1.05%
NLR-1.27%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 21, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricAIHYGRIDNLR
Full nameDefiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETFFirst Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index FundVanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF
IssuerDefiance ETFsFirst TrustVanEck
Underlying index—Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure IndexMVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index
Last Close$21.65 as of September 18, 2026$178.25 as of September 18, 2026$107.69 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate—0.80%2.94%
Distribution Safety Score™ —7896
Safety-Adjusted Yield —0.62%2.82%
Expense ratio0.37%0.56%0.52%
AUM$5.26M$11.6B$3.73B
Distribution frequencyAnnualQuarterlyAnnual
ObjectiveSeeks 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.Seeks to replicate the price and yield performance of the MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index.
Asset classEquityEquityEquity
Inception date07/20/202611/16/200908/13/2007
Beta—1.441.25
Last dividend—$0.756$3.166
Ex-dividend date—06/25/202612/22/2025

— 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.

Model this comparison:
Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Defiance ETFs
ETFs86
Total AUM$10.8B

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.

See all Defiance ETFs ETFs
First Trust
ETFs319
Total AUM$286B

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.

See all First Trust ETFs
VanEck
ETFs85
Total AUM$163B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on NLR.

See all VanEck ETFs

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF), GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund), NLR (VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF) are ETFs that take different approaches.

NLR offers the highest reported yield at 2.94%, followed by GRID at 0.80%.

AIHY is the cheapest with an expense ratio of 0.37%, compared to 0.52% for NLR and 0.56% for GRID.

GRID has the most assets at $11.6B, but AIHY only launched recently — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as they build a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment: AIHY has no reported yield yet, GRID generates ~$6.67/month, NLR generates ~$24.50/month at current distribution rates.

AIHY yield—
GRID yield0.80%
NLR yield2.94%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000: AIHY costs ~$370, GRID costs ~$560, NLR costs ~$520 in fees (simplified, not compounded).

AIHY ER0.37%
GRID ER0.56%
NLR ER0.52%

Strategy & risk

AIHY is an ETF built around technology exposure; GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach; NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index with a nuclear approach.

AIHY beta—
GRID beta1.44
NLR beta1.25

Fund details

AIHY is managed by Defiance ETFs (launched 07/20/2026) with $5.26M in assets. GRID is managed by First Trust (launched 11/16/2009) with $11.6B in assets. NLR is managed by VanEck (launched 08/13/2007) with $3.73B in assets.

AIHY AUM$5.26M
GRID AUM$11.6B
NLR AUM$3.73B
Ready to act?
Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

Which of AIHY, GRID, NLR is best for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. NLR currently offers the highest reported distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility, and funds without an established distribution history have no comparable yield to evaluate. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between AIHY, GRID, NLR?

AIHY (Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure, issued by Defiance ETFs. GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach, issued by First Trust. NLR (VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF) tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index with a nuclear approach, issued by VanEck.

Can I hold AIHY, GRID, NLR together?

Yes — nothing prevents holding them together. 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 of AIHY, GRID and NLR is safest?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — NLR scores 96, GRID scores 78, so NLR's payout currently looks the more resilient of the group. NLR has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.25 vs 1.44 for GRID). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has the lowest fees among AIHY, GRID, NLR?

AIHY has an expense ratio of 0.37%, GRID has an expense ratio of 0.56%, NLR has an expense ratio of 0.52%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 generate in each?

$10,000 in AIHY has no reported monthly income yet. $10,000 in GRID yields ~$6.67/month ($80.00/year). $10,000 in NLR yields ~$24.50/month ($294.00/year).

More comparisons to explore

People also compare AIHY with

AIHY vs NLRAIHY vs ZAPAIHY vs PWERAIHY vs DTCR

People also compare GRID with

GRID vs NLRGRID vs ZAP

Popular comparisons

JEPI vs JEPQSCHD vs VYMVOO vs VTIJEPI vs SCHD

AIHY vs GRID vs NLR — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

These three ETFs pursue distinctly different energy and technology themes. AIHY targets AI infrastructure companies—semiconductors, cloud platforms, and data centers—with a 50%-plus revenue-exposure filter. GRID tracks the smart grid transition, capturing utilities and industrials companies enabling modernized electrical distribution and demand management. NLR holds uranium miners and nuclear fuel producers, betting on nuclear energy's role in decarbonization. Each occupies a separate sector and reflects a different bet on the energy and technology landscape.

How they differ

AIHY is the youngest and smallest fund, with $5.26M in assets since 07/20/2026, and holds no reported distribution yield—it's a pure capital-appreciation play on compute infrastructure. GRID is the largest and most mature by a wide margin, with $11.6B and a 11/16/2009 inception; it pays a 0.80% yield quarterly and tracks a published index. On fees, AIHY charges 0.37%, GRID 0.56%, and NLR 0.52%—all tightly clustered. The volatility picture differs too: GRID's 1.44 beta is notably higher than NLR's 1.25, suggesting the smart grid ETF moves more sharply with broad market swings.

Who each is best for

  • AIHY: Fits investors with a long time horizon who believe AI compute will drive returns over many years and tolerate complete reliance on price appreciation, with no near-term income expectation.
  • GRID: Designed for those seeking steady quarterly income via a broad thematic bet on electrical infrastructure modernization, with moderate volatility and two decades of trading history.
  • NLR: Matches investors seeking a higher current yield from a clean-energy focus on nuclear and uranium, accepting higher commodity exposure and annual payout timing.

Key risks to know

  • AIHY concentration and unproven strategy: The fund holds just $5.26M in assets and has traded for less than a year. Its 50%-plus AI-revenue filter is a narrow screen that may create concentration risk and could exclude diversified semiconductor and cloud names that derive meaningful but non-dominant revenue from AI. The newness also means no long track record through market stress.
  • GRID high beta and crowding: With a 1.44 beta, GRID amplifies market downturns; the smart grid theme has attracted capital ($11.6B in AUM), which may limit upside if sentiment shifts and valuations compress.
  • NLR commodity and regulatory risk: Uranium prices and nuclear policy (reactor licensing, waste storage, subsidies) drive returns more than underlying company operations. A policy reversal or uranium price collapse could erode both price and the 2.94% yield significantly. Index-tracking also means NLR follows spot trends without active management to weather sector shocks.
  • Sector concentration overlap: All three funds concentrate in thematic buckets (AI, smart grid, nuclear). If investors hold more than one, holdings will likely overlap in semiconductors or utilities, creating unintended portfolio concentration.

Bottom line

AIHY bets on the compute backbone of AI with no current income—a high-growth, no-yield play for patient capital. GRID offers moderate income and index exposure to grid modernization with higher volatility. NLR combines yield with commodity and policy risk via nuclear energy. Past performance does not guarantee 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.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener