ETF Comparison

GRID vs NLR: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of 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 4, 2026

Best for

GRIDInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
NLRInvestors who want higher current income (2.64% vs 0.80% for GRID).

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

GRID has outpaced NLR over the trailing twelve months, posting a 28.06% total return against 2.88%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: GRID has compounded at 17.74% a year, against 12.42% for NLR. GRID has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 20.9% against 36.1% for NLR. 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.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Nov 2009	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
GRID	15.40%	28.06%	22.80%	13.63%	17.74%	12.38%	20.9%	0.77	1.10	-20.6%
NLR	-9.84%	2.88%	25.16%	19.57%	12.42%	6.88%	36.1%	0.50	0.72	-37.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Nov 2009” measures every fund from November 17, 2009 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	GRID	NLR
Full name	First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund	VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF
Issuer	First Trust	VanEck
Underlying index	Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index	MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index
Last Close	$178.99 as of September 4, 2026	$119.95 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate	0.80%	2.64%
Distribution Safety Score™	78	96
Safety-Adjusted Yield	0.62%	2.53%
Expense ratio	0.56%	0.52%
AUM	$11.7B	$4.08B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Annual
Objective	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 class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	11/16/2009	08/13/2007
Beta	1.44	1.25
Last dividend	$0.756	$3.166
Ex-dividend date	06/25/2026	12/22/2025

Bottom lineChoose GRID if you want broad equity exposure. Choose NLR if you want higher current income (2.64% vs 0.80% for GRID).

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.

First Trust

ETFs312

Total AUM$285B

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

First Trust operates a broad multi-strategy ETF platform with 50 funds spanning allocation, income, alternatives, and thematic investing. The issuer focuses heavily on specialized income strategies, including dividend funds, covered call strategies (Buffer series), and sector-specific income plays, alongside factor-based and alternative investments. Notable tickers like FDN (tech), FAN (clean energy), and the Buffer series (BUFD, BUFQ, BUFR) reflect the issuer's emphasis on income generation and downside protection strategies across diverse market segments.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on GRID.

See all First Trust ETFs

VanEck

ETFs85

Total AUM$165B

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

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and NLR (VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

NLR offers the higher yield at 2.64% vs 0.80% for GRID. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

NLR is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.52% compared to 0.56%.

They have different reference exposures: GRID is linked to Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index while NLR is linked to MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

GRID is the larger fund by assets ($11.7B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Still deciding? Track GRID & NLR for free

Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.

Add to my watchlist See what a free account includes

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, GRID would generate roughly $6.67/month, while NLR would produce $22.00/month, at current distribution rates.

GRID yield0.80%

NLR yield2.64%

Monthly diff on $10K$15.33

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, GRID would cost approximately $560 in fees vs $520 for NLR (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

GRID ER0.56%

NLR ER0.52%

Strategy & risk

GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach, while NLR tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index with a nuclear approach. Beta is 1.44 for GRID and 1.25 for NLR, making NLR the less volatile of the two by this measure.

GRID beta1.44

NLR beta1.25

Fund details

GRID is managed by First Trust (launched 11/16/2009) with $11.7B in assets. NLR is managed by VanEck (launched 08/13/2007) with $4.08B in assets.

GRID AUM$11.7B

NLR AUM$4.08B

Ready to act?

Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for GRID and NLR?

GRID currently distributes 0.80% and NLR 2.64%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is GRID or NLR better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. NLR currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between GRID and NLR?

GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index with an electrification approach, while NLR (VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF) tracks MVIS Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index with a nuclear approach. They are issued by First Trust and VanEck respectively.

Can I hold both GRID and NLR?

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.

Is GRID or NLR safer?

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 two. 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 lower fees, GRID or NLR?

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

How much income does $10,000 in GRID vs NLR generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in GRID would generate roughly $6.67 per month ($80.00 annually). The same in NLR would produce about $22.00 per month ($264.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, GRID or NLR?

More comparisons to explore

People also compare GRID with

People also compare NLR with

Popular comparisons

GRID vs NLR — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

GRID and NLR are both thematic energy-sector ETFs that track narrow, index-based strategies, but they target opposite ends of the power-generation spectrum. GRID invests in smart-grid infrastructure and electrification technology across utilities and industrials, while NLR focuses on uranium mining and nuclear energy companies. Both are relatively young in their approach to a mature theme—GRID since inception on 11/16/2009 and NLR since 08/13/2007—and both charge low fees, but they offer very different risk and yield profiles. NLR also carries a higher beta of 1.25 versus GRID's 1.44, meaning it swings more sharply with market moves—a reflection of uranium's commodity-driven volatility and smaller market. GRID has far larger assets at $11.7B compared to NLR's $4.08B, suggesting broader institutional adoption of the smart-grid thesis. Both charge competitive fees: 0.56% for GRID and 0.52% for NLR.

Who each is best for

GRID: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to the electrification and grid-modernization trend, with relatively modest volatility and a steady but light income stream from a liquid, well-capitalized fund.

Key risks to know

Thematic concentration. GRID tracks a narrow index of smart-grid and efficiency names, which may overlap heavily in holdings and leave the fund vulnerable if grid-modernization spending slows or policy shifts. NLR is even more concentrated, focused on uranium and nuclear operators whose fortunes hinge on fuel demand and reactor build-out timelines.

Uranium and commodity volatility. NLR's beta of 1.25 reflects its dependence on uranium spot prices and geopolitical uranium supply—a commodity notoriously subject to boom-bust cycles. GRID, with a beta closer to the broader market at 1.44, is less exposed to single-commodity swings.

Policy and regulatory risk. Both funds depend on favorable energy policy. GRID benefits from clean-energy and grid-investment mandates; a reversal toward fossil-fuel subsidies or delayed grid spending could hurt returns. NLR depends on sustained nuclear adoption and uranium demand—regulatory barriers to nuclear construction, waste-storage disputes, or a shift toward renewables could crimp its thesis.

Liquidity in underlying holdings. NLR's smaller AUM and focus on smaller uranium and nuclear companies may mean less-liquid underlying holdings compared to GRID's broader infrastructure exposure, potentially widening bid-ask spreads during market stress.

Bottom line

GRID offers a diversified play on the electrification mega-trend with low volatility and steady, modest income; NLR provides concentrated, higher-yield exposure to nuclear and uranium, but with significantly more price swings and policy dependency. If you're building a core energy-transition holding, GRID's size and breadth stand out; if you're tilting toward nuclear as a contrarian energy bet, NLR's yield and narrower focus suit that thesis. Past performance in either thematic area doesn't predict future results, and both funds' returns will hinge heavily on whether their underlying trends accelerate or stall.

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.

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