AMLP vs. MLPB
AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) and MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) are both exchange-traded funds - AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while MLPB is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AMLP returned 7.06%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for MLPB. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AMLP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MLPB.
Performance
AMLP vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AMLP achieves a 21.95% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 26.71% return. Over the past 10 years, AMLP has underperformed MLPB with an annualized return of 7.06%, while MLPB has yielded a comparatively higher 8.90% annualized return.
AMLP
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 5.92%
- 6M
- 15.63%
- YTD
- 21.95%
- 1Y
- 20.87%
- 3Y*
- 19.72%
- 5Y*
- 20.29%
- 10Y*
- 7.06%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.88%
MLPB
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 7.25%
- 6M
- 18.96%
- YTD
- 26.71%
- 1Y
- 25.73%
- 3Y*
- 22.35%
- 5Y*
- 23.19%
- 10Y*
- 8.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.53%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF | $68.05M | $61.93M | $74.57M |
| $105.22K | $111.18K | $133.63K |
AMLP vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF | 21.95% | 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 | 26.71% | 7.40% | 25.53% | 22.01% | 30.22% | 39.42% | -30.80% | 5.69% | -8.79% | -9.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between AMLP and MLPB is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2015 | 0.78 |
The correlation between AMLP and MLPB shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.98 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
AMLP vs. MLPB — Risk / Return Rank
AMLP
MLPB
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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AMLP | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.31 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.48 | 2.79 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.92 | 7.44 | -0.52 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AMLP | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.19% | -71.93% | -5.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.47% | -9.28% | +0.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.33% | 0.00% | -0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.26% | -14.66% | -2.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 3.47% | -0.45% |
Volatility
AMLP vs. MLPB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) is 3.99%, while ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) has a volatility of 4.61%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| AMLP | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.99% | 4.61% | -0.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.79% | 11.09% | -1.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.50% | 14.08% | -1.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.37% | 19.61% | -0.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.65% | 27.21% | +0.44% |
AMLP vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison
AMLP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
AMLP vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison
AMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.29%, more than MLPB's 5.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF | 7.29% | 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 | 5.69% | 6.51% | 5.95% | 6.37% | 6.00% | 6.98% | 11.93% | 7.98% | 8.11% | 7.23% | 6.85% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, AMLP and MLPB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
MLPB has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to AMLP (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMLP dropped -77.19% vs MLPB's -71.93%.
On 10-year performance, MLPB leads with 8.90% vs 7.06% for AMLP. On fees, MLPB is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, AMLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, MLPB has performed better with a 8.90% return vs 7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MLPB is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.
AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.29%, compared with 5.69% for MLPB.
AMLP is categorized as MLPs, while MLPB is Infrastructure Equities. Both ETFs track Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for AMLP and 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.68), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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