Relative Intelligence · Electric Utilities

How National Grid (NGG) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on NGG alone. It places NGG (National Grid plc) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where NGG stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: NGG's full trading record, from October 1999 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowNGG has gone against the market, falling 3.3% over the past 6 months while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. Its electric utility peers split over the past 6 months: ED (Consolidated Edison) rose 3.8%, while NEE (NextEra Energy) fell 13.0%. Consistency ↓
- Stock or market?NGG fell 1.7% over the past 3 months, 4.4 points ahead of the electric utilities ETF XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF), which fell 6.1%. The S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Last month cut against the tape: NGG rose 5.7% while the S&P 500 fell 0.6%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, NGG rose 10.1% against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. The same gap shows up over 3 years (69.5% against 89.3%). By year ↓
- Long termNGG turned $10,000 into $21,800 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashNGG fell less than the S&P 500 in five of seven sell-offs, but the 2022 bear market broke the pattern: it fell 39.2%, more than the S&P 500's 24.5%. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationNGG is some diversification, but not a hedge: a correlation of 0.53 with the S&P 500 over 5 years and 0.53 with the total US market, more closely than 80% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Over 10 years NGG gave up some upside in exchange for smaller losses: 52% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 61% of its losses in falling ones, with a beta of 0.58. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- PNW (Pinnacle West Capital) earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years: 13.4% a year at 19.9% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund, electric grid infrastructure theme) and ATO (Atmos Energy, gas utilities) earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years. EMLP returned 14.9% a year at 14.5% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%.
- Whole market
- 119 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway), BRK-A (Berkshire Hathaway) and KO (Coca-Cola).
How much would $10,000 in NGG have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in NGG over the past 26 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of NGG over the same span and NGG's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in NGG at the end of September 2000 would have grown to $48,448 by September 2026, less than the $84,332 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- All eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of NGG, and ETN finished highest, at $752,515.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2000 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 909 of the 1,261 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of NGG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- ETN$752,515+7,425% total · +18.1% a year
- HUBB$356,873+3,469% total · +14.7% a year
- PWR$238,259+2,283% total · +13.0% a year
- ETR$141,805+1,318% total · +10.7% a year
- SO$134,779+1,248% total · +10.5% a year
- EVRG$113,840+1,038% total · +9.8% a year
- AEP$89,808+798% total · +8.8% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$84,332+743% total · +8.5% a year
- PNW$56,527+465% total · +6.9% a year
- NGG$48,448+384% total · +6.3% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,167 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of NGG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- PWR$56,870+469% total · +41.6% a year
- ETN$31,102+211% total · +25.5% a year
- HUBB$27,103+171% total · +22.1% a year
- ETR$23,803+138% total · +18.9% a year
- EMLP$20,506+105% total · +15.4% a year
- ATO$20,072+101% total · +15.0% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- NI$18,933+89.3% total · +13.6% a year
- AEP$17,493+74.9% total · +11.8% a year
- NGG$17,264+72.6% total · +11.5% a year
NGG at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
- NGG's deepest decline since it began trading in 1999 was 54.9%, from December 2007 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 26 full calendar years, NGG's best was 2006, when it returned 55.5%, and its worst was 2008, when it lost 36.5%. It lost money in ten of those years.
- NGG is 11.4% below its all-time high.
The company
- Market value
- $84B
- Industry
- Regulated Electric
- Price history from
- October 1999
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +10.1%total return
- Past 3 years
- +69.5%+19.2% a year
- Past 5 years
- +74.5%+11.8% a year
- Past 10 years
- +118%+8.1% a year
- Best calendar year
- +55.5%2006
- Worst calendar year
- −36.5%2008
- Losing years
- 10 of 26full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 22.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.61return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −54.9%Dec 2007 to Mar 2009
- From its all-time high
- −11.4%below the peak
NGG against the whole market
Where NGG ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does NGG rank among all stocks?
This section ranks NGG on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how NGG stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- NGG's worst decline of the past 10 years ranks in the top 6% of the 2,187 stocks worth at least $300 million, where the top fell the least.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | NGG | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +10.1% | 1,585 of 3,287 | top 48% |
| 3-year return | +69.5% | 1,263 of 3,017 | top 42% |
| 5-year return | +74.5% | 861 of 2,893 | top 30% |
| 10-year return | +118% | 1,252 of 2,202 | bottom 44% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 22.6% | 180 of 2,893 | top 6% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.61 | 647 of 2,893 | top 22% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −39.2% | 135 of 2,187 | top 6% |
What has beaten NGG on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). NGG sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than NGG with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 20 stocks and 99 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than NGG over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 3% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half NGG's swings, DXJ has the best return for its risk: 26.6% a year at 19.1% volatility, 16% less than NGG's 22.6%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.34 against 0.61 for NGG.
- Among NGG's popular alternatives, PNW is in the region. PNW earned 13.4% a year against 11.8% a year for NGG, at 19.9% volatility, 12% less than NGG's 22.6%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to NGG; faint dots are 63 more of the 119 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
- 1 with more than 1.6× NGG's volatility is in the table only
Is there a better investment than NGG?
Investments that beat NGG over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among NGG's popular alternatives, PNW earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years: 13.4% a year at 19.9% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, EMLP (electric grid infrastructure theme) and ATO (gas utilities) earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years. EMLP returned 14.9% a year at 14.5% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%.
- Across the whole market, 119 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them BRK-B, BRK-A and KO.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat NGG over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks NGG's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than NGG follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than NGG's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× NGG's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than NGG's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with NGG?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| +11.8% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −39.2% | +118% | 1.00 | — | |||
| +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.53 | 0.09% | |||
| Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against NGG. 3 of 23 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities | Higher return, lower volatility | +13.4% | 19.9% | 0.73 | −39.3% | +103% | 0.55 | — | |
| Higher return in most periods | +39.3% | 37.2% | 1.08 | −45.5% | +2,045% | 0.39 | — | ||
| Higher return, similar volatility | +19.2% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | +311% | 0.42 | — | ||
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Electric Utilities and the categories next to it (Independent Power Producers, Electrical Equipment, Engineering & Construction, Gas Utilities), plus NGG's specific themes. 6 of 62 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure · Electric Grid Infrastructure theme | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +14.9% | 14.5% | 1.04 | −43.6% | +150% | 0.58 | 0.95% | |
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.72 | — | |
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +15.1% | 20.3% | 0.80 | −30.9% | +158% | 0.61 | — | |
APGAPi Group Corporation · Engineering & Construction | Higher return in most periods | +23.0% | 31.9% | 0.81 | −49.6% | — | 0.57 | — | |
VMIValmont Industries, Inc. · Infrastructure · Electric Grid Infrastructure theme | Higher return in most periods | +13.8% | 32.7% | 0.56 | −48.9% | +288% | 0.34 | — | |
PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity · Electric Grid Infrastructure theme | Higher return, similar volatility | +14.9% | 21.6% | 0.75 | −44.1% | — | 0.58 | 0.47% | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 666 of 3,548 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.50 | — | ||
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.61 | 0.40% | |
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.61 | — | ||
| Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.40 | — | ||
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.33 | 0.13% | |
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.66 | 0.27% | |
| Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.53 | 0.03% | ||
| Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.35 | — | ||
What these numbers mean for NGG
- Annual return
- NGG returned 11.8% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,500. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- NGG's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.6%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, NGG's return lands within 22.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- NGG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.61, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so NGG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- NGG's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 39.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 39.2% fall takes a 64.5% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, NGG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.53 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against NGG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a NGG holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 119 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than NGG with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 74 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with NGG | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.50 | — | |
| 2 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.61 | 0.40% |
| 3 | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.61 | — | |
| 4 | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −33.9% | +324% | 0.53 | 0.02% | |
| 5 | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.40 | — | |
| 6 | SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Whole market | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.33 | 0.13% |
| 7 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.66 | 0.27% |
| 8 | AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +14.0% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.54 | 0.15% |
| 9 | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.44 | — | |
| 10 | DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.1% | 13.8% | 0.96 | −32.5% | +206% | 0.59 | 0.35% |
| 11 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.51 | 0.40% |
| 12 | XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.8% | 18.9% | 0.78 | −30.5% | +379% | 0.42 | 0.20% |
| 13 | JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 15.7% | 0.89 | −32.9% | — | 0.55 | 0.12% |
| 14 | USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.1% | 16.4% | 0.89 | −30.0% | — | 0.50 | 0.12% |
| 15 | TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.2% | 21.3% | 0.81 | −32.0% | +388% | 0.48 | 0.50% |
| 16 | Whole market | +23.5% | 18.8% | 1.22 | −75.2% | +350% | 0.42 | — | |
| 17 | IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.3% | 18.2% | 0.78 | −31.3% | +229% | 0.69 | 0.25% |
| 18 | SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · Technology | Whole market | +15.0% | 19.5% | 0.82 | −30.8% | — | 0.45 | 0.45% |
| 19 | DIVIFranklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF · International | Whole market | +13.4% | 15.5% | 0.89 | −27.7% | +184% | 0.76 | 0.09% |
| 20 | FLQLFranklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.8% | 16.3% | 0.88 | −33.6% | — | 0.54 | 0.15% |
| 21 | DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International | Whole market | +20.9% | 19.2% | 1.09 | −31.3% | +348% | 0.32 | 0.45% |
| 22 | HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.0% | 18.0% | 0.82 | −33.6% | — | 0.50 | 0.50% |
| 23 | EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.5% | 0.94 | −34.2% | +387% | 0.65 | 0.19% |
| 24 | EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · International | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.2% | 0.86 | −30.1% | — | 0.56 | 0.15% |
| 25 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.29 | 0.48% |
| 26 | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.62 | — | |
| 27 | VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 16.2% | 0.88 | −23.8% | — | 0.53 | 0.49% |
| 28 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology | Whole market | +16.2% | 19.1% | 0.89 | −33.6% | +330% | 0.55 | 0.70% |
| 29 | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.0% | 0.84 | −42.0% | +310% | 0.58 | — | |
| 30 | Whole market | +15.7% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +248% | 0.36 | — | |
| 31 | Whole market | +17.8% | 21.4% | 0.88 | −53.7% | +140% | 0.43 | — | |
| 32 | Whole market | +16.4% | 17.1% | 0.98 | −58.1% | +178% | 0.35 | — | |
| 33 | Whole market | +13.6% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.0% | +295% | 0.45 | — | |
| 34 | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.9% | 0.71 | −46.9% | +187% | 0.64 | — | |
| 35 | Whole market | +19.0% | 20.8% | 0.95 | −54.9% | +335% | 0.42 | — | |
| 36 | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.48 | 0.26% | |
| 37 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds | Whole market | +20.6% | 18.4% | 1.12 | −45.7% | — | 0.15 | 0.80% |
| 38 | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.48 | 0.40% | |
| 39 | FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 16.3% | 0.87 | −40.2% | +194% | 0.71 | 0.25% |
| 40 | IUSGiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF · US Growth Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 21.2% | 0.68 | −32.4% | +405% | 0.42 | 0.04% |
| 41 | PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +16.1% | 15.1% | 1.07 | −41.3% | — | 0.57 | 0.56% |
| 42 | LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +14.3% | 19.2% | 0.80 | −48.5% | +180% | 0.49 | — |
| 43 | HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 13.0% | 1.00 | −37.0% | +172% | 0.60 | 0.08% |
| 44 | AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 17.4% | 0.84 | −43.0% | — | 0.68 | 0.36% |
| 45 | FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.2% | 14.6% | 0.92 | −40.2% | +253% | 0.59 | 0.15% |
| 46 | FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 14.4% | 0.98 | −41.4% | +199% | 0.56 | 0.43% |
| 47 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.4% | 0.90 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.49 | 0.15% |
| 48 | IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 15.5% | 0.86 | −42.5% | +159% | 0.71 | 0.50% |
| 49 | GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 13.6% | 1.04 | −37.6% | +168% | 0.67 | 0.60% |
| 50 | MLPXGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF · Energy | Whole market | +18.6% | 19.7% | 0.97 | −64.6% | +186% | 0.46 | 0.45% |
| 51 | FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives | Whole market | +12.9% | 15.6% | 0.86 | −35.9% | +139% | 0.15 | 0.98% |
| 52 | WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.0% | 0.83 | −42.2% | +303% | 0.51 | 0.12% |
| 53 | EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure · Electric Grid Infrastructure theme | Same or nearby category | +14.9% | 14.5% | 1.04 | −43.6% | +150% | 0.58 | 0.95% |
| 54 | EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +19.2% | 20.3% | 0.97 | −46.4% | +196% | 0.59 | 0.50% |
| 55 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.4% | 0.93 | −36.9% | — | 0.55 | 0.05% |
| 56 | PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.5% | 14.2% | 0.97 | −37.6% | +223% | 0.55 | 0.55% |
| 57 | JMOMJPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +12.9% | 19.1% | 0.73 | −34.3% | — | 0.50 | 0.12% |
| 58 | AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · International | Whole market | +13.2% | 13.6% | 0.99 | −44.2% | — | 0.54 | 0.27% |
| 59 | VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +14.3% | 17.6% | 0.85 | −41.3% | — | 0.53 | 0.18% |
| 60 | COMTiShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF · Commodities | Whole market | +13.1% | 21.1% | 0.69 | −39.2% | +160% | 0.06 | 0.49% |
| 61 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Same or nearby category | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.72 | — |
| 62 | CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy | Whole market | +19.8% | 20.9% | 0.97 | −58.8% | +336% | 0.35 | 0.61% |
| 63 | NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Same or nearby category | +15.1% | 20.3% | 0.80 | −30.9% | +158% | 0.61 | — |
| 64 | DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International | Whole market | +13.8% | 15.1% | 0.94 | −34.4% | +261% | 0.67 | 0.50% |
| 65 | FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · Dividend & Income | Whole market | +13.1% | 16.0% | 0.85 | −44.6% | +203% | 0.64 | 0.59% |
| 66 | IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International | Whole market | +14.1% | 15.6% | 0.93 | −37.3% | +180% | 0.66 | 0.50% |
| 67 | GVALCambria Global Value ETF · International | Whole market | +14.4% | 18.7% | 0.82 | −46.8% | +173% | 0.61 | 0.68% |
| 68 | QVALAlpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +13.7% | 21.4% | 0.71 | −51.5% | +230% | 0.50 | 0.28% |
| 69 | Whole market | +12.9% | 20.8% | 0.69 | −51.6% | +184% | 0.33 | — | |
| 70 | AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity | Whole market | +16.1% | 18.9% | 0.89 | −72.9% | +91.0% | 0.35 | 1.01% |
| 71 | ITAiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +14.6% | 20.4% | 0.78 | −51.0% | +258% | 0.51 | 0.37% |
| 72 | PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities | Popular alternative | +13.4% | 19.9% | 0.73 | −39.3% | +103% | 0.55 | — |
| 73 | UTESVirtus Reaves Utilities ETF · Alternatives | Whole market | +13.6% | 21.1% | 0.71 | −35.4% | +210% | 0.52 | 0.49% |
| 74 | FDUSFidus Investment Corporation · Asset Management | Whole market | +13.5% | 20.4% | 0.72 | −68.7% | +260% | 0.26 | — |
NGG against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against NGG, compared period by period and year by year.
How do NGG's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at NGG, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Four of the 23 popular alternatives, led by ETR, PNW and AEP, were both more rewarding and calmer than NGG over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, NGG returned 11.8% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (22.6% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than NGG with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| PWR Quanta Services, Inc. | +39.3% | 37.2% |
| HUBB Hubbell Incorporated | +21.0% | 30.0% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | +20.4% | 32.1% |
| ETR Entergy Corporation | +19.2% | 22.4% |
| PNW Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | +13.4% | 19.9% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | +12.4% | 20.2% |
| ED Consolidated Edison, Inc. | +12.0% | 18.8% |
| NGG This pageNational Grid plc | +11.8% | 22.6% |
| SO The Southern Company | +11.3% | 18.8% |
| EVRG Evergy, Inc. | +9.5% | 18.9% |
| FE FirstEnergy Corp. | +8.5% | 19.4% |
| SRE Sempra | +8.1% | 23.0% |
| AEE Ameren Corporation | +7.8% | 19.4% |
| DUK Duke Energy Corporation | +7.5% | 18.0% |
| WEC WEC Energy Group, Inc. | +7.2% | 19.0% |
| EXC Exelon Corporation | +7.1% | 20.9% |
| PPL PPL Corporation | +7.1% | 18.9% |
| XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | +6.5% | 20.9% |
| PEG Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | +5.8% | 20.6% |
| DTE DTE Energy Company | +5.7% | 19.0% |
| CMS CMS Energy Corporation | +5.6% | 19.0% |
| NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | +1.5% | 26.8% |
| D Dominion Energy, Inc. | +0.5% | 22.7% |
| ES Eversource Energy | −1.4% | 23.9% |
Has NGG consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares NGG with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than NGG helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Only one of the 24 popular alternatives, PWR, outperformed NGG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- ED, AEP and SO earned more for the risk they took than NGG (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
- ETN outperformed NGG over all three long-term periods but in only one of the five short-term ones, so NGG has had the better of it lately.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than NGG over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| NGG National Grid plc (this page) | — | +5.7% | −1.7% | −3.3% | +5.7% | +10.1% | +69.5% | +74.5% | +118% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −39.2% | — | $84B | — |
| PWR QualifiedQuanta Services, Inc. | 3/5 short3/3 long | −7.2% | −5.8% | −1.5% | +35.6% | +35.3% | +263% | +425% | +2,045% | 37.2% | 1.08 | −45.5% | — | $90B | — |
| ETR Regulated ElectricEntergy Corporation | 2/5 short3/3 long | +3.5% | −5.5% | −6.4% | +14.1% | +11.4% | +149% | +141% | +311% | 22.4% | 0.90 | −42.0% | — | $50B | — |
| AEP Regulated ElectricAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. | 2/5 short3/3 long | +6.0% | −2.2% | −3.1% | +12.4% | +11.3% | +93.3% | +79.4% | +185% | 20.2% | 0.68 | −32.9% | — | $69B | — |
| ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc | 1/5 short3/3 long | −12.3% | −4.6% | −5.8% | +17.7% | +2.3% | +104% | +153% | +657% | 32.1% | 0.74 | −44.5% | — | $148B | — |
| HUBB Electrical Equipment & PartsHubbell Incorporated | 0/5 short2/3 long | +0.4% | −5.0% | −15.4% | +0.1% | +7.7% | +70.6% | +159% | +442% | 30.0% | 0.79 | −41.6% | — | $24B | — |
| PNW Regulated ElectricPinnacle West Capital Corporation | 4/5 short1/3 long | +10.3% | −2.3% | +1.8% | +20.0% | +15.3% | +57.1% | +87.3% | +103% | 19.9% | 0.73 | −39.3% | — | $12B | — |
| SO Regulated ElectricThe Southern Company | 2/5 short1/3 long | +6.1% | −3.2% | −1.4% | +6.6% | −4.1% | +53.0% | +70.9% | +170% | 18.8% | 0.67 | −38.4% | — | $104B | — |
| EVRG Regulated ElectricEvergy, Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | +4.5% | −1.9% | +3.2% | +16.3% | +9.0% | +93.6% | +57.2% | +109% | 18.9% | 0.57 | −38.8% | — | $19B | — |
| D Regulated ElectricDominion Energy, Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | 0.0% | −9.8% | +3.0% | +9.4% | +6.6% | +80.8% | +2.7% | +32.5% | 22.7% | 0.14 | −52.2% | — | $55B | — |
| AEE Regulated ElectricAmeren Corporation | 1/5 short1/3 long | +4.3% | −3.1% | −3.2% | +7.6% | +3.4% | +52.5% | +45.9% | +192% | 19.4% | 0.49 | −29.1% | — | $29B | — |
| XEL Regulated ElectricXcel Energy Inc. | 1/5 short1/3 long | +6.7% | −1.7% | −3.0% | +5.1% | −2.7% | +46.0% | +37.3% | +156% | 20.9% | 0.41 | −34.4% | — | $48B | — |
| NEE Regulated ElectricNextEra Energy, Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | −1.0% | −9.7% | −13.0% | −0.4% | −4.3% | +65.9% | +7.5% | +228% | 26.8% | 0.19 | −45.0% | — | $165B | — |
| WEC Regulated ElectricWEC Energy Group, Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | +5.1% | −2.5% | −3.9% | +4.8% | −4.3% | +49.1% | +41.6% | +159% | 19.0% | 0.46 | −32.3% | — | $35B | — |
| EXC Regulated ElectricExelon Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | +2.5% | −5.5% | −5.5% | +0.7% | −7.5% | +22.6% | +40.7% | +159% | 20.9% | 0.43 | −40.0% | — | $44B | — |
| PEG Regulated ElectricPublic Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | 0/5 short1/3 long | +2.2% | −8.1% | −10.7% | −10.2% | −13.6% | +31.9% | +32.3% | +142% | 20.6% | 0.38 | −40.8% | — | $35B | — |
| DUK Regulated ElectricDuke Energy Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | +3.9% | −2.7% | −3.5% | +6.0% | −2.6% | +56.1% | +43.9% | +132% | 18.0% | 0.50 | −37.4% | — | $95B | — |
| DTE Regulated ElectricDTE Energy Company | 0/5 short1/3 long | +2.5% | −10.6% | −9.8% | +1.7% | −6.7% | +48.3% | +32.2% | +127% | 19.0% | 0.39 | −42.4% | — | $27B | — |
| CMS Regulated ElectricCMS Energy Corporation | 0/5 short1/3 long | +5.8% | −5.4% | −9.8% | −0.6% | −6.0% | +42.2% | +31.4% | +123% | 19.0% | 0.38 | −29.6% | — | $21B | — |
| ED Regulated ElectricConsolidated Edison, Inc. | 5/5 short0/3 long | +7.8% | +1.7% | +3.8% | +14.7% | +13.7% | +42.4% | +76.3% | +114% | 18.8% | 0.70 | −30.9% | — | $41B | — |
| GEV Industrial - MachineryGE Vernova Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | −5.9% | −17.5% | −10.0% | +31.3% | +50.1% | — | — | — | — | — | −38.3% | — | $237B | — |
| ES Regulated ElectricEversource Energy | 1/5 short0/3 long | −2.2% | −10.6% | −2.2% | −0.5% | −6.0% | +40.5% | −7.0% | +72.0% | 23.9% | 0.06 | −41.7% | — | $25B | — |
| SRE Diversified UtilitiesSempra | 0/5 short0/3 long | +2.8% | −7.9% | −9.9% | −5.6% | −8.0% | +32.7% | +47.5% | +114% | 23.0% | 0.46 | −45.0% | — | $54B | — |
| FE Regulated ElectricFirstEnergy Corp. | 0/5 short0/3 long | +1.7% | −4.9% | −5.7% | +4.1% | +0.7% | +46.8% | +50.2% | +111% | 19.4% | 0.52 | −47.7% | — | $26B | — |
| PPL Regulated ElectricPPL Corporation | 0/5 short0/3 long | +4.7% | −1.5% | −9.2% | +0.9% | −5.2% | +60.8% | +40.7% | +59.2% | 18.9% | 0.46 | −48.7% | — | $26B | — |
How did NGG do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2000, along with where NGG ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with NGG and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, NGG finished in the top quarter in eight of 26 years and in the bottom quarter in 12. In 2025, it ranked 2 of 25.
- NGG finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 11 of its 26 full calendar years.
- Among its popular alternatives, ETN came out ahead of NGG most often, in 18 of the 26 years both traded.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of NGG; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places NGG among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of NGG | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGG This pageNational Grid plc | — | +35.9% | −1.3% | +18.8% | −12.7% | +29.0% | −0.7% | +38.5% | −13.7% | +5.1% | −12.3% | +3.2% | +13.3% | +19.9% | +25.6% | +16.0% | −12.7% | +14.0% | −36.5% | +19.3% | +55.5% | −9.2% | +32.4% | −1.5% | +21.5% | −32.2% | +18.4% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 8 of 26 | 2 of 25 | 23 of 24 | 4 of 24 | 23 of 24 | 6 of 24 | 13 of 24 | 7 of 24 | 22 of 24 | 20 of 24 | 24 of 24 | 5 of 24 | 21 of 24 | 7 of 24 | 5 of 24 | 17 of 24 | 22 of 24 | 13 of 24 | 20 of 24 | 9 of 24 | 1 of 24 | 23 of 24 | 3 of 24 | 22 of 24 | 2 of 24 | 23 of 24 | 21 of 24 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 12 of 26 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% | +10.7% | +28.2% | −21.6% | −11.7% | −9.8% |
| PWR Quanta Services, Inc. | 14 of 26 | +33.7% | +46.6% | +51.7% | +24.6% | +59.5% | +77.8% | +35.8% | −22.9% | +12.2% | +72.1% | −28.7% | −10.1% | +15.7% | +26.7% | +8.1% | −4.4% | +5.3% | −24.6% | +33.5% | +49.3% | +64.7% | +9.5% | +109% | −77.3% | −52.1% | +71.0% |
| ETR Entergy Corporation | 14 of 26 | +25.4% | +55.9% | −6.1% | +3.5% | +17.1% | −13.7% | +44.3% | +10.6% | +15.9% | +12.6% | −18.2% | +44.8% | +4.3% | −8.3% | +8.4% | −9.7% | +2.4% | −28.3% | +32.5% | +38.4% | +4.6% | +22.0% | +29.3% | +20.3% | −4.6% | +71.4% |
| AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | 13 of 26 | +29.4% | +18.2% | −11.0% | +10.4% | +10.7% | −9.0% | +30.5% | +5.4% | +19.9% | +11.9% | −0.4% | +35.1% | +14.2% | +8.2% | +20.7% | +8.6% | +10.4% | −25.5% | +13.0% | +19.7% | +12.3% | +17.5% | +19.2% | −32.8% | −1.3% | +54.8% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 18 of 26 | −2.8% | +39.5% | +56.2% | −7.2% | +46.7% | +31.0% | +42.8% | −10.0% | +21.5% | +33.8% | −20.7% | −8.2% | +44.2% | +28.6% | −11.8% | +64.0% | +33.3% | −47.1% | +31.6% | +14.4% | −5.4% | +36.5% | +41.1% | +7.6% | +40.8% | +6.0% |
| HUBB Hubbell Incorporated | 16 of 26 | +7.4% | +28.9% | +42.4% | +15.1% | +35.6% | +8.9% | +52.9% | −24.6% | +18.8% | +18.4% | −3.3% | −0.2% | +31.1% | +29.3% | +14.1% | +30.9% | +50.5% | −34.4% | +17.0% | +3.2% | −11.3% | +22.1% | +30.2% | +24.5% | +16.3% | +2.7% |
| PNW Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | 14 of 26 | +8.9% | +23.5% | −1.2% | +13.0% | −7.8% | −7.7% | +9.1% | +3.6% | +11.7% | +25.4% | −2.0% | +34.6% | +7.9% | +10.3% | +21.9% | +19.6% | +21.8% | −19.4% | −12.3% | +28.4% | −2.7% | +16.1% | +23.4% | −14.6% | −9.1% | +62.2% |
| SO The Southern Company | 14 of 26 | +9.5% | +21.7% | +2.2% | +8.2% | +16.4% | +0.6% | +51.6% | −3.8% | +2.4% | +9.9% | −0.1% | +25.3% | +0.5% | −3.5% | +26.9% | +20.7% | −4.9% | +0.1% | +9.8% | +11.7% | +7.6% | +16.1% | +11.7% | +17.6% | +32.5% | +48.5% |
| EVRG Evergy, Inc. | 13 of 26 | +22.4% | +23.4% | −13.3% | −4.9% | +28.0% | −11.7% | +18.4% | +10.9% | −3.5% | +36.8% | +6.9% | +33.2% | +17.5% | +4.2% | +20.3% | +22.2% | +13.0% | −16.5% | +4.1% | +26.1% | −2.0% | +17.3% | +115% | −37.2% | −26.4% | +58.7% |
| D Dominion Energy, Inc. | 13 of 26 | +14.0% | +20.4% | −19.2% | −19.1% | +8.1% | −5.3% | +21.5% | −7.6% | +9.9% | +17.7% | −8.7% | +23.0% | +29.8% | +1.6% | +29.4% | +14.8% | +14.4% | −21.6% | +16.5% | +12.6% | +18.2% | +10.5% | +21.3% | −4.5% | −6.5% | +80.2% |
| AEE Ameren Corporation | 15 of 26 | +15.3% | +27.5% | −16.1% | +2.5% | +17.1% | +4.3% | +20.8% | +14.0% | +15.9% | +25.7% | −2.4% | +32.8% | +23.4% | −2.5% | +23.9% | +6.9% | −10.4% | −34.5% | +5.9% | +10.1% | +7.1% | +15.1% | +17.5% | +4.3% | −3.0% | +51.7% |
| XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 16 of 26 | +13.9% | +12.3% | −8.7% | +6.4% | +4.4% | +7.8% | +32.4% | +5.9% | +20.9% | +17.1% | +3.8% | +33.4% | +8.8% | +0.5% | +22.3% | +16.1% | +20.3% | −13.8% | +2.0% | +30.6% | +6.1% | +12.4% | +61.7% | −57.1% | +0.8% | +58.8% |
| NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | 17 of 26 | +15.5% | +21.5% | −25.3% | −8.5% | +23.4% | +30.0% | +42.6% | +14.3% | +34.4% | +18.5% | +0.8% | +27.9% | +27.9% | +17.9% | +21.9% | +2.3% | +9.0% | −23.5% | +27.9% | +35.5% | +15.2% | +18.5% | +13.0% | +11.3% | −18.5% | +74.7% |
| WEC WEC Energy Group, Inc. | 15 of 26 | +16.0% | +16.1% | −7.0% | −0.5% | +8.6% | +2.5% | +37.0% | +7.9% | +17.1% | +18.2% | +0.8% | +32.0% | +16.1% | +8.9% | +22.9% | +21.7% | +22.5% | −11.8% | +5.0% | +24.2% | +18.7% | +3.4% | +36.8% | +15.6% | +3.7% | +25.4% |
| EXC Exelon Corporation | 15 of 26 | +20.0% | +9.2% | −14.0% | +8.3% | +41.4% | −3.8% | +4.3% | +18.4% | +14.1% | +32.8% | −22.2% | +40.6% | −3.5% | −27.4% | +9.5% | −10.5% | −8.4% | −29.9% | +35.1% | +19.8% | +24.5% | +37.5% | +30.1% | +14.1% | −29.5% | +106% |
| PEG Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | 14 of 26 | −1.9% | +42.6% | +3.6% | −5.1% | +18.3% | +2.4% | +17.1% | +4.7% | +21.8% | +17.8% | −2.8% | +34.4% | +9.4% | −2.9% | +8.3% | −0.1% | +19.2% | −38.6% | +52.1% | +5.6% | +30.3% | +24.3% | +44.0% | −19.3% | −9.0% | +48.5% |
| DUK Duke Energy Corporation | 15 of 26 | +12.7% | +15.6% | −1.6% | +2.0% | +19.1% | +4.8% | +10.3% | +7.4% | +12.9% | +13.4% | −10.8% | +26.3% | +13.0% | +1.3% | +30.1% | +9.5% | +21.9% | −21.6% | +8.9% | +26.2% | +15.6% | +30.2% | +11.8% | −48.2% | −5.3% | +76.0% |
| DTE DTE Energy Company | 13 of 26 | +10.4% | +13.5% | −2.8% | +1.2% | +19.4% | −2.9% | +21.4% | +4.2% | +14.6% | +27.0% | −3.7% | +34.8% | +15.0% | +14.9% | +25.9% | +9.0% | +30.4% | −14.4% | −5.1% | +17.7% | +4.8% | +15.0% | −10.4% | +16.1% | +13.0% | +30.8% |
| CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 12 of 26 | +8.1% | +18.6% | −5.2% | +0.2% | +9.7% | −0.3% | +30.0% | +8.2% | +17.1% | +18.9% | +7.3% | +34.6% | +13.9% | +15.0% | +23.9% | +23.7% | +61.1% | −40.2% | +5.4% | +15.0% | +39.0% | +22.7% | −9.7% | −57.7% | −19.9% | +8.3% |
| ED Consolidated Edison, Inc. | 14 of 26 | +15.1% | +1.6% | −1.1% | +15.7% | +22.9% | −17.0% | +22.6% | −6.6% | +17.2% | +18.9% | +1.4% | +24.9% | +3.8% | −6.7% | +30.9% | +14.9% | +23.8% | −15.7% | +6.6% | +9.2% | +11.3% | +7.3% | +6.3% | +11.8% | +10.9% | +19.0% |
| GEV GE Vernova Inc. | 1 of 1 | +99.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ES Eversource Energy | 13 of 26 | +22.9% | −2.5% | −23.4% | −5.1% | +8.2% | +4.5% | +34.5% | +6.4% | +18.0% | +11.8% | −1.3% | +30.6% | +12.5% | +12.3% | +16.8% | +28.2% | +11.8% | −20.6% | +14.2% | +47.9% | +8.1% | −3.4% | +37.6% | −11.3% | −25.5% | +20.2% |
| SRE Sempra | 16 of 26 | +3.9% | +21.1% | −0.1% | +20.3% | +7.4% | −12.8% | +44.0% | +4.5% | +8.7% | +10.1% | −13.2% | +27.3% | +30.3% | +33.8% | +8.7% | −3.4% | +35.6% | −29.2% | +12.8% | +28.1% | +25.8% | +25.6% | +31.8% | +0.5% | +10.1% | +40.6% |
| FE FirstEnergy Corp. | 13 of 26 | +17.3% | +13.3% | −8.9% | +4.8% | +41.7% | −34.2% | +34.1% | +27.9% | +3.6% | +1.9% | −15.2% | +23.6% | −16.6% | −1.1% | +26.1% | −15.6% | +0.5% | −30.6% | +23.7% | +27.3% | +28.7% | +16.5% | +11.7% | −1.5% | +16.1% | +47.9% |
| PPL PPL Corporation | 12 of 26 | +11.4% | +24.0% | −3.8% | +0.4% | +12.8% | −16.9% | +33.4% | −3.0% | −5.2% | +4.1% | +6.2% | +26.1% | +10.3% | +2.4% | +17.6% | −14.1% | +10.2% | −39.0% | +49.3% | +26.2% | +14.8% | +26.1% | +31.3% | +3.9% | −21.0% | +105% |
Risk and diversification
How NGG has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were NGG's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents NGG's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1999, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In four of NGG's five worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: NGG fell 31.3% from May 2017 to December 2018, while the S&P 500 rose 10.1%.
- The slowest recovery came after NGG fell 54.9% from December 2007 to March 2009; it did not regain that peak until October 2013, five years later.
Green means NGG fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | NGG fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 financial crisis | −54.9% | −46.3% | Dec 2007 | Mar 2009 | 15 months | Oct 2013 | 4.6 years |
| 2022 bear market | −39.2% | −19.5% | Apr 2022 | Oct 2022 | 6 months | May 2024 | 19 months |
| Dot-com bust | −37.3% | −44.7% | Mar 2000 | Mar 2003 | 3 years | Dec 2004 | 21 months |
| Covid crash | −34.0% | −32.8% | Feb 2020 | Mar 2020 | 1 month | May 2021 | 14 months |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −31.3% | +10.1% | May 2017 | Dec 2018 | 19 months | Jan 2020 | 13 months |
How did NGG do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far NGG, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
- NGG fell less than the S&P 500 in seven of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when NGG fell 36.8% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
- Among its popular alternatives, ED held up best, falling less than NGG in eight of the ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than NGG.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGG This pageNational Grid plc | — | −0.3% | −39.2% | −34.0% | −14.6% | −6.3% | −7.6% | −8.5% | −0.7% | −53.4% | −36.8% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| PWR Quanta Services, Inc. | 1 of 10 | −4.0% | −21.7% | −40.8% | −22.1% | −7.1% | −35.4% | −21.6% | −1.7% | −69.6% | −97.1% |
| ETR Entergy Corporation | 5 of 10 | −3.0% | −21.9% | −41.3% | −8.0% | −4.1% | −13.2% | −13.4% | −1.1% | −49.4% | −28.4% |
| AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | 5 of 10 | −2.0% | −22.3% | −32.4% | −8.5% | −5.5% | −10.6% | −9.3% | −0.8% | −48.0% | −62.8% |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 2 of 10 | −4.5% | −26.3% | −44.5% | −26.0% | −6.7% | −22.3% | −34.6% | −1.4% | −68.5% | −31.6% |
| HUBB Hubbell Incorporated | 3 of 10 | −5.6% | −17.3% | −40.6% | −31.6% | −3.7% | −20.9% | −26.6% | −1.0% | −59.7% | −27.4% |
| PNW Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | 4 of 10 | −4.0% | −24.0% | −39.3% | −8.4% | −4.3% | −11.2% | −13.4% | −2.2% | −43.8% | −53.3% |
| SO The Southern Company | 7 of 10 | −1.2% | −23.3% | −38.1% | −9.6% | −1.9% | −9.4% | −5.2% | 0.0% | −30.4% | −19.0% |
| EVRG Evergy, Inc. | 4 of 10 | −2.1% | −22.8% | −38.8% | −8.0% | −2.6% | −11.2% | −14.6% | −1.2% | −39.8% | −59.5% |
| D Dominion Energy, Inc. | 7 of 10 | −3.2% | −28.0% | −33.3% | −7.5% | −3.1% | −13.3% | −7.7% | 0.0% | −41.4% | −44.4% |
| AEE Ameren Corporation | 5 of 10 | −2.5% | −22.9% | −29.1% | −10.2% | −4.2% | −11.5% | −13.2% | −1.9% | −60.6% | −17.8% |
| XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 5 of 10 | −1.8% | −24.7% | −28.9% | −9.4% | −4.6% | −10.4% | −11.0% | −1.1% | −27.2% | −80.6% |
| NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | 5 of 10 | −1.7% | −24.0% | −35.6% | −8.2% | −6.9% | −12.9% | −12.8% | 0.0% | −47.9% | −32.2% |
| WEC WEC Energy Group, Inc. | 6 of 10 | −1.9% | −23.6% | −32.3% | −9.8% | −4.0% | −9.6% | −12.0% | −0.6% | −24.4% | −21.3% |
| EXC Exelon Corporation | 4 of 10 | −2.6% | −27.4% | −39.8% | −6.9% | −4.6% | −24.7% | −10.5% | −0.8% | −50.9% | −40.6% |
| PEG Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | 3 of 10 | −3.6% | −27.3% | −38.0% | −10.8% | −6.6% | −14.8% | −13.4% | −1.0% | −51.0% | −48.3% |
| DUK Duke Energy Corporation | 5 of 10 | −1.9% | −24.1% | −37.4% | −7.7% | −2.9% | −13.7% | −8.8% | 0.0% | −38.9% | −63.5% |
| DTE DTE Energy Company | 5 of 10 | −2.7% | −24.9% | −42.4% | −8.4% | −4.6% | −11.1% | −14.1% | −1.9% | −50.6% | −27.7% |
| CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 5 of 10 | −2.8% | −26.5% | −29.3% | −9.8% | −3.9% | −10.4% | −13.5% | −1.3% | −49.4% | −79.9% |
| ED Consolidated Edison, Inc. | 8 of 10 | −1.2% | −22.0% | −30.9% | −10.3% | −4.1% | −9.8% | −5.9% | 0.0% | −30.1% | −25.5% |
| ES Eversource Energy | 4 of 10 | −2.7% | −23.1% | −36.8% | −9.1% | −5.4% | −11.5% | −13.8% | −1.8% | −40.3% | −43.1% |
| SRE Sempra | 4 of 10 | −3.1% | −19.4% | −44.6% | −9.4% | −2.1% | −17.0% | −12.7% | −1.3% | −40.7% | −40.7% |
| FE FirstEnergy Corp. | 5 of 10 | −4.1% | −25.2% | −36.4% | −9.5% | −3.5% | −15.6% | −12.5% | 0.0% | −54.2% | −34.4% |
| PPL PPL Corporation | 4 of 10 | −1.9% | −21.8% | −47.1% | −13.1% | −5.3% | −11.7% | −11.5% | 0.0% | −53.5% | −55.4% |
How closely does NGG move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares NGG with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- Over the past 10 years, NGG captured 52% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 61% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 0.58. Its share of the market's losses was slightly larger than its share of the gains.
- 20 of the 23 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than NGG's 0.85, led by ETR, PWR and SO.
- AEP took just 23% of the S&P 500's losses, against 61% for NGG, while still keeping 44% of its gains.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than NGG's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGG This pageNational Grid plc | 52% | 61% | 0.85 | 0.58 |
| ETR Entergy Corporation | 58% | 24% | 2.39 | 0.53 |
| PWR Quanta Services, Inc. | 141% | 61% | 2.31 | 1.22 |
| SO The Southern Company | 41% | 20% | 1.98 | 0.39 |
| AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | 44% | 23% | 1.93 | 0.40 |
| EXC Exelon Corporation | 40% | 21% | 1.91 | 0.37 |
| DUK Duke Energy Corporation | 35% | 19% | 1.88 | 0.33 |
| ED Consolidated Edison, Inc. | 31% | 18% | 1.75 | 0.22 |
| WEC WEC Energy Group, Inc. | 41% | 23% | 1.73 | 0.34 |
| XEL Xcel Energy Inc. | 41% | 24% | 1.68 | 0.35 |
| CMS CMS Energy Corporation | 35% | 23% | 1.56 | 0.28 |
| AEE Ameren Corporation | 51% | 33% | 1.52 | 0.38 |
| ETN Eaton Corporation plc | 114% | 80% | 1.43 | 1.16 |
| NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | 62% | 44% | 1.40 | 0.45 |
| PNW Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | 34% | 27% | 1.23 | 0.38 |
| FE FirstEnergy Corp. | 40% | 33% | 1.22 | 0.36 |
| EVRG Evergy, Inc. | 42% | 38% | 1.11 | 0.47 |
| DTE DTE Energy Company | 47% | 42% | 1.11 | 0.50 |
| PEG Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | 52% | 47% | 1.09 | 0.53 |
| HUBB Hubbell Incorporated | 108% | 101% | 1.07 | 1.03 |
| SRE Sempra | 48% | 49% | 0.97 | 0.60 |
| ES Eversource Energy | 49% | 61% | 0.79 | 0.52 |
| PPL PPL Corporation | 52% | 77% | 0.67 | 0.65 |
| D Dominion Energy, Inc. | 43% | 70% | 0.61 | 0.52 |
What diversifies NGG?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with NGG's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing NGG with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in NGG into BUFD would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 17% over the past 5 years for a small cut in its annual return (+11.5% for NGG alone, +11.2% for the mix).
- FIX made money in nine of the ten calendar years in which NGG lost money.
- Among large ETFs, DXJ, BUFD and FTLS have moved largely independently of NGG over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.48 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which NGG lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% NGG and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2018 | 2016 | 2010 | 2008 | 2005 | 2003 | 2001 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGG National Grid plc (this page) | 1.00 | +74.5% | 0.61 | −1.3% | −12.7% | −0.7% | −13.7% | −12.3% | −12.7% | −36.5% | −9.2% | −1.5% | −32.2% | 22.5% | +11.5% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.29 | +225% | 1.34 | +29.8% | +6.0% | +3.9% | −19.8% | +1.1% | −1.8% | −20.8% | — | — | — | 18.9% | +14.9% |
| BUFD Multi-AssetFT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETF | 0.48 | +45.4% | 1.01 | +12.4% | −7.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18.7% | +11.2% |
| FTLS Broad MarketFirst Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 0.48 | +62.9% | 0.99 | +18.8% | −5.6% | +2.6% | −4.8% | +6.5% | — | — | — | — | — | 18.9% | +11.8% |
| MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 0.46 | +135% | 0.97 | +42.9% | +21.5% | −20.3% | −15.5% | +36.3% | — | — | — | — | — | 20.0% | +13.6% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.40 | +323% | 0.97 | +39.1% | −33.5% | +55.5% | −9.1% | +35.6% | +19.0% | −44.7% | +10.8% | +87.3% | −14.6% | 21.7% | +17.3% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.48 | +126% | 0.96 | +26.7% | −0.8% | +24.8% | −1.9% | +8.0% | +29.3% | +4.9% | +17.8% | — | — | 19.9% | +13.3% |
| SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 0.33 | +136% | 0.93 | +45.8% | −10.4% | +28.2% | −0.9% | +7.4% | — | — | — | — | — | 19.8% | +14.0% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.27 | +177% | 0.93 | +5.6% | +64.4% | −32.7% | −18.2% | +28.0% | +21.9% | −39.0% | +40.1% | +25.9% | −18.2% | 20.0% | +14.5% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2024 | 2022 | 2020 | 2018 | 2016 | 2010 | 2008 | 2005 | 2003 | 2001 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGG National Grid plc (this page) | 1.00 | +74.5% | 0.61 | −1.3% | −12.7% | −0.7% | −13.7% | −12.3% | −12.7% | −36.5% | −9.2% | −1.5% | −32.2% | 22.5% | +11.5% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.37 | +479% | 1.55 | +19.0% | +54.1% | +10.1% | −24.5% | −17.5% | +21.4% | −39.6% | +18.7% | +3.5% | −2.5% | 20.6% | +17.1% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.08 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +215% | +1.3% | −2.4% | −16.3% | +7.4% | +2.8% | −20.5% | −25.2% | +6.9% | −25.6% | 22.2% | +30.2% |
| FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc. | 0.37 | +1,636% | 1.46 | +107% | +17.0% | +6.7% | +0.8% | +18.3% | +8.7% | −15.2% | +20.1% | +63.6% | +73.7% | 22.9% | +25.6% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.30 | +413% | 1.44 | +23.7% | +51.8% | +27.1% | −28.4% | −28.3% | +13.8% | −40.4% | +64.9% | +19.9% | +4.9% | 20.1% | +16.5% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.12 | +690% | 1.41 | −4.0% | +86.6% | −27.4% | −8.2% | +0.7% | — | — | — | — | — | 19.9% | +19.4% |
Common questions
What was NGG's worst drawdown?
NGG's deepest decline since it began trading in 1999 was 54.9%, from December 2007 to March 2009. It took about five years from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were NGG's best and worst years?
Over 26 full calendar years, NGG's best year was 2006, when it returned 55.5%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -36.5%.
Is there a better investment than NGG?
Among NGG's popular alternatives, PNW earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years: 13.4% a year at 19.9% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, EMLP (electric grid infrastructure theme) and ATO (gas utilities) earned more than NGG with less volatility over the past 5 years. EMLP returned 14.9% a year at 14.5% volatility, against 11.8% a year at 22.6%.
Is NGG more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. NGG's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.6%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, NGG's return lands within 22.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is NGG's Sharpe ratio?
NGG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.61, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so NGG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is NGG with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, NGG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.53 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against NGG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a NGG holding.
What are the best alternatives to NGG?
Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed NGG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: PWR.
Did NGG outperform the S&P 500?
NGG finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 11 of 26 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +35.9%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did NGG do in stock market crashes?
NGG fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in seven of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in one. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when NGG fell 36.8% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.
What diversifies NGG?
These had a low correlation with NGG over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.29), BUFD (correlation 0.48) and FTLS (correlation 0.48); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.37), CLS (correlation 0.08) and FIX (correlation 0.37). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than NGG's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of NGG's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.