AMLP vs. SDOG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) and SDOG (ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while SDOG is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AMLP returned 6.79%/yr vs 9.69%/yr for SDOG. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AMLP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for SDOG.

Performance

AMLP vs. SDOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMLP achieves a 16.62% return, which is significantly higher than SDOG's 15.26% return. Over the past 10 years, AMLP has underperformed SDOG with an annualized return of 6.79%, while SDOG has yielded a comparatively higher 9.69% annualized return.

AMLP

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 16.62%
• 6M: 16.20%
• 1Y: 19.16%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: 17.03%
• 10Y*: 6.79%

SDOG

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: 3.62%
• YTD: 15.26%
• 6M: 17.58%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 8.74%
• 10Y*: 9.69%

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

AMLP vs. SDOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	16.62%	5.78%	22.76%	21.40%	25.47%	39.09%	-32.26%	5.99%	-12.67%	-7.89%
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	15.26%	11.12%	14.70%	4.19%	-0.20%	24.59%	-0.35%	24.02%	-11.43%	12.65%

Correlation

The correlation between AMLP and SDOG is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2012	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between AMLP and SDOG has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

AMLP vs. SDOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AMLP	SDOG
Energy	97.7%	9.9%
Utilities	2.3%	9.4%
Basic Materials	-	4.1%
Communication Services	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	9.8%
Financial Services	-	11.0%
Healthcare	-	9.7%
Industrials	-	8.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	14.1%

Return for Risk

AMLP vs. SDOG — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 45
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 43
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SDOG

SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 73
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. SDOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG). 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	SDOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.34	-0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	3.50	-1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.41	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	4.28	-2.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.36	13.78	-6.43
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. SDOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMLP Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is lower than the SDOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMLP and SDOG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AMLP	SDOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	2.34	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.57	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.51	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.66	-0.43

Drawdowns

AMLP vs. SDOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMLP drawdown since its inception was -77.19%, which is greater than SDOG's maximum drawdown of -43.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMLP and SDOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMLP	SDOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.19%	-43.56%	-33.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-6.24%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.27%	-16.00%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.92%	-19.84%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.62%	-43.56%	-29.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.85%	0.00%	-3.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.40%	-4.92%	-12.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.94%	+0.73%

Volatility

AMLP vs. SDOG - Volatility Comparison

Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) has a higher volatility of 4.94% compared to ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) at 3.00%. This indicates that AMLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMLP	SDOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.94%	3.00%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	7.89%	+0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.91%	11.37%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.98%	15.42%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.68%	19.06%	+8.62%

AMLP vs. SDOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMLP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than SDOG's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMLP vs. SDOG - Dividend Comparison

AMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.62%, more than SDOG's 3.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	7.62%	8.36%	7.70%	7.86%	7.70%	8.55%	12.31%	9.12%	9.29%	7.97%	8.09%	9.84%
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.32%	3.68%	3.86%	4.29%	3.87%	3.62%	3.63%	3.37%	4.03%	3.27%	3.32%	3.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMLP and SDOG in my portfolio?

AMLP and SDOG have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMLP or SDOG?

AMLP has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to SDOG (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMLP dropped -77.19% vs SDOG's -43.56%.

Which ETF is better, AMLP or SDOG?

On 10-year performance, SDOG leads with 9.69% vs 6.79% for AMLP. On fees, SDOG is cheaper at 0.36% per year. On volatility, SDOG has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AMLP or SDOG?

Over the 10-year period, SDOG has performed better with a 9.69% return vs 6.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMLP or SDOG?

SDOG is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AMLP or SDOG?

AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.62%, compared with 3.32% for SDOG.

What is the main difference between AMLP and SDOG?

AMLP is categorized as MLPs, while SDOG is Large Cap Value Equities. AMLP tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while SDOG tracks S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for AMLP and 0.36% for SDOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.62), 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.