PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
AMLP vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AMLP vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AMLP returned 6.92%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AMLP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

AMLP vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMLP achieves a 15.29% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, AMLP has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 6.92%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.20% annualized return.

AMLP

1D
-0.34%
1M
-3.23%
YTD
15.29%
6M
14.35%
1Y
15.02%
3Y*
20.22%
5Y*
15.26%
10Y*
6.92%

XLU

1D
1.09%
1M
-0.82%
YTD
5.04%
6M
5.48%
1Y
12.50%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
9.41%
10Y*
9.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AMLP vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AMLP
Alerian MLP ETF		15.29%5.78%22.76%21.40%25.47%39.09%-32.26%5.99%-12.67%-7.89%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		5.04%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between AMLP and XLU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.18

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.33

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.30

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.23

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2010

0.25

The correlation between AMLP and XLU shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.33 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AMLP vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AMLP
XLU

Energy

97.7%

-

Utilities

2.3%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Energy

AMLP
97.7%
XLU

-

Utilities

AMLP
2.3%
XLU
100.0%

Basic Materials

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Financial Services

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Healthcare

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Industrials

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Real Estate

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Technology

AMLP

-

XLU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Alerian MLP ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with AMLP:
AMLP vs. MLPAAMLP vs. ENFRAMLP vs. XLEAMLP vs. SPYAMLP vs. ETAMLP vs. VDEAMLP vs. KYN
Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

AMLP vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AMLP
AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 3939
Sortino Ratio Rank
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 3737
Omega Ratio Rank
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

AMLPXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.25
0.81

+0.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.79
1.18

+0.61

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.15

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.66

1.30

+0.36

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.35

2.80

+2.55

AMLP vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMLP Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMLP and XLU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

AMLP vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMLP drawdown since its inception was -77.19%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMLP and XLU.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

AMLPXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-77.19%

-51.98%

-25.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.94%

-9.18%

+0.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.27%

-17.26%

+2.99%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.92%

-25.26%

+4.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-72.62%

-36.07%

-36.55%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.94%

-6.05%

+1.11%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.37%

-10.22%

-7.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.77%

4.25%

-1.48%

Volatility

AMLP vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) is 4.71%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that AMLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

AMLPXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.71%

5.59%

-0.88%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.77%

11.68%

-2.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.84%

14.66%

-2.82%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.95%

17.34%

+2.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

27.67%

19.27%

+8.40%

AMLP vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMLP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMLP vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison

AMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.71%, more than XLU's 2.67% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AMLP
Alerian MLP ETF		7.71%8.36%7.70%7.86%7.70%8.55%12.31%9.12%9.29%7.97%8.09%9.84%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.67%2.71%2.96%3.39%2.92%2.79%3.14%2.95%3.33%3.33%3.41%3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

AMLP and XLU have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to AMLP (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMLP dropped -77.19% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.20% vs 6.92% for AMLP. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, AMLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, XLU has performed better with a 9.20% return vs 6.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.

AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.71%, compared with 2.67% for XLU.

AMLP is categorized as MLPs, while XLU is Utilities Equities. AMLP tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for AMLP and 0.08% for XLU.

AMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.81), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for AMLP and XLU

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer