AMLP vs. MLPB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB).

AMLP and MLPB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AMLP is a passively managed fund by SS&C that tracks the performance of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Aug 23, 2010. MLPB is a passively managed fund by UBS that tracks the performance of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Oct 8, 2015. Both AMLP and MLPB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

AMLP vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AMLP vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	14.20%	5.78%	22.76%	21.40%	25.47%	39.09%	-32.26%	5.99%	-12.67%	-7.89%
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	16.69%	7.40%	25.53%	22.01%	30.22%	39.42%	-30.80%	5.69%	-8.79%	-9.71%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMLP achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 16.69% return. Over the past 10 years, AMLP has underperformed MLPB with an annualized return of 8.63%, while MLPB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.55% annualized return.

AMLP

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 1.15%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 6M: 16.89%
• 1Y: 9.93%
• 3Y*: 20.27%
• 5Y*: 20.38%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

MLPB

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 20.26%
• 1Y: 11.98%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 23.10%
• 10Y*: 9.55%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AMLP vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMLP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.

AMLP

Alerian MLP ETF

MLPB

ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B

Return for Risk

AMLP vs. MLPB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 32
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 35
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 25

MLPB

MLPB Risk / Return Rank: 32
MLPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
MLPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
MLPB Omega Ratio Rank: 36
MLPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
MLPB Martin Ratio Rank: 25

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AMLP vs. MLPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AMLP	MLPB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.62	0.64	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	0.93	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.14	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	0.69	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.72	1.81	-0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMLP vs. MLPB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.62, which is comparable to the MLPB Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMLP and MLPB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AMLP	MLPB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62	0.64	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	1.15	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.34	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.23	-0.01

Correlation

The correlation between AMLP and MLPB is 0.78, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

AMLP vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison

AMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than MLPB's 5.83% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	7.54%	8.36%	7.70%	7.86%	7.70%	8.55%	12.31%	9.12%	9.29%	7.97%	8.09%	9.84%
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	5.83%	6.51%	5.95%	6.37%	6.00%	6.98%	11.93%	7.98%	8.11%	7.23%	6.85%	0.00%

Drawdowns

AMLP vs. MLPB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMLP drawdown since its inception was -77.19%, which is greater than MLPB's maximum drawdown of -71.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMLP and MLPB.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMLP	MLPB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.19%	-71.93%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.27%	-16.49%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.92%	-20.41%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.62%	-71.93%	-0.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.17%	-2.68%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.57%	-15.03%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.60%	6.26%	-0.66%

Volatility

AMLP vs. MLPB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) is 2.92%, while ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that AMLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMLP	MLPB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	3.72%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.86%	8.96%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.08%	18.75%	-2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.18%	20.14%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.84%	28.10%	-0.26%