AMLP vs. TPYP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) and TPYP (Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while TPYP is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Tortoise North American Pipeline Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AMLP returned 7.06%/yr vs 11.54%/yr for TPYP. Their correlation of 0.80 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AMLP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for TPYP.

Performance

AMLP vs. TPYP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AMLP having a 21.95% return and TPYP slightly higher at 22.76%. Over the past 10 years, AMLP has underperformed TPYP with an annualized return of 7.06%, while TPYP has yielded a comparatively higher 11.54% 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%

TPYP

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 1.98%
• 6M: 15.97%
• YTD: 22.76%
• 1Y: 24.58%
• 3Y*: 24.25%
• 5Y*: 19.56%
• 10Y*: 11.54%
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

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

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
TPYP Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund	$2.70M	$2.35M	$2.69M

AMLP vs. TPYP - 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%
TPYP Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund	22.76%	7.59%	37.37%	10.51%	16.09%	34.97%	-20.99%	23.35%	-11.13%	2.27%

Correlation

The correlation between AMLP and TPYP is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2015	0.80

The correlation between AMLP and TPYP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

AMLP vs. TPYP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AMLP	TPYP
Energy	98.1%	69.6%
Industrials	2.1%	0.1%
Utilities	1.9%	21.2%
Financial Services	0.0%	2.4%
Basic Materials	-	0.1%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

AMLP vs. TPYP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 67
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 57

TPYP

TPYP Risk / Return Rank: 75
TPYP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
TPYP Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
TPYP Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TPYP Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
TPYP Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AMLP vs. TPYP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP). 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	TPYP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.77	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.49	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	3.61	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.92	8.51	-1.59

AMLP vs. TPYP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMLP Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the TPYP Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMLP and TPYP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AMLP vs. TPYP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMLP drawdown since its inception was -77.19%, which is greater than TPYP's maximum drawdown of -51.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMLP and TPYP.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMLP	TPYP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.19%	-51.91%	-25.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.47%	-6.84%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.27%	-13.17%	-1.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.92%	-17.96%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.62%	-51.91%	-20.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-3.62%	+3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.26%	-7.83%	-9.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.89%	+0.13%

Volatility

AMLP vs. TPYP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) is 3.99%, while Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP) has a volatility of 5.42%. This indicates that AMLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TPYP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMLP	TPYP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	5.42%	-1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	11.28%	-1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	13.96%	-1.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.37%	17.40%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.65%	21.90%	+5.75%

AMLP vs. TPYP - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMLP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than TPYP's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMLP vs. TPYP - Dividend Comparison

AMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.29%, more than TPYP's 3.22% 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%
TPYP Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund	3.22%	3.91%	3.95%	4.83%	4.48%	4.86%	6.14%	4.45%	4.58%	3.71%	3.49%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMLP and TPYP in my portfolio?

AMLP and TPYP have a correlation of 0.75, 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 TPYP?

TPYP has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to AMLP (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMLP dropped -77.19% vs TPYP's -51.91%.

Which ETF is better, AMLP or TPYP?

On 10-year performance, TPYP leads with 11.54% vs 7.06% for AMLP. On fees, TPYP is cheaper at 0.40% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, AMLP or TPYP?

Over the 10-year period, TPYP has performed better with a 11.54% return vs 7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMLP or TPYP?

TPYP is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.

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

AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.29%, compared with 3.22% for TPYP.

What is the main difference between AMLP and TPYP?

AMLP is categorized as MLPs, while TPYP is Energy Equities. AMLP tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while TPYP tracks Tortoise North American Pipeline Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Tortoise. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for AMLP and 0.40% for TPYP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPYP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 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.