A side-by-side comparison of NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF (NREA) and First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | NREA | GRID |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +14.77% | +3179.63%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +1.06% | +3457.81%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +1.92% | +3598.14%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +5.87% | +3650.35%✓ |
| Current Price | $28.67 | $159.39 |
| AUM | $1.47B | $10.68B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.56% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.58%✓ | 0.97% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | — |
| Inception Date | 2019-01-15 | 2009-11-16 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 116 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Infrastructure Equity | Infrastructure Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 1.42 |
| 52-Week High | $29.51 | $198.79 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.39 | $143.36 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.29 | $174.07 |
| 200-Day MA | $27.82 | $178.77 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | NREA | GRID |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +14.77% | +3179.63%✓ |
| 1 Year | +12.96%✓ | +2.93% |
| 3 Year | +13.07% | +22.97%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.45% | +10.77%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +16.87%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.47% | 25.04% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.27 | 0.97 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AEP | American Electric Power Co Inc | 6.98% |
| 2 | ETR | Entergy Corporation | 5.30% |
| 3 | AENA | Aena SA | 4.56% |
| 4 | XEL | Xcel Energy Inc | 4.20% |
| 5 | IBE | Iberdrola S.A. | 4.17% |
| 6 | LNG | Cheniere Energy Inc | 3.90% |
| 7 | NEE | Nextera Energy Inc | 3.78% |
| 8 | TRGP | Targa Resources Inc | 3.41% |
| 9 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.31% |
| 10 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 3.19% |
| 1 | JCI | Johnson Controls International PLC | 8.34% |
| 2 | PWR | Quanta Services Inc | 7.88% |
| 3 | ABBN | ABB Ltd | 7.80% |
| 4 | ETN | Eaton Corporation PLC | 7.94% |
| 5 | SU | Schneider Electric S.E. | 6.77% |
| 6 | NG | National Grid PLC | 4.96% |
| 7 | EOAN | E.ON SE | 4.96% |
| 8 | PRY | Prysmian SpA | 3.71% |
| 9 | HUBB | Hubbell Inc | 2.61% |
| 10 | TRN | Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA | 2.32% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | NREA | GRID |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.28% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 2.50% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 17.48% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 28.53% | 66.34% |
| Real Estate | 2.12% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.12% | 11.93% |
| Utilities | 52.27% | 21.00% |
About NREA
NA
About GRID
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index includes companies that are primarily engaged and involved in electric grid, electric meters and devices, networks, energy storage and management, and enabling software used by the smart grid infrastructure sector. The fund is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both NREA and GRID are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, GRID scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NREA and GRID?
NREA (NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF) and GRID (First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.47B vs $10.68B), dividend yield (1.58% vs 0.97%), and year-to-date performance (+14.77% vs +3179.63%).
Is NREA better than GRID?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy NREA and GRID on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both NREA and GRID should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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