AMZA vs. VCLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AMZA (InfraCap MLP ETF) and VCLN (Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMZA is a MLPs fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while VCLN is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AMZA returned 22.02%/yr vs 20.62%/yr for VCLN. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AMZA charges 2.01%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for VCLN.

Performance

AMZA vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMZA achieves a 22.22% return, which is significantly lower than VCLN's 39.16% return.

AMZA

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: 22.22%
• 6M: 20.41%
• 1Y: 17.55%
• 3Y*: 22.02%
• 5Y*: 19.41%
• 10Y*: 4.86%

VCLN

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 11.34%
• YTD: 39.16%
• 6M: 37.23%
• 1Y: 95.86%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AMZA vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AMZA InfraCap MLP ETF	22.22%	0.17%	30.90%	23.35%	33.20%	4.38%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	39.16%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between AMZA and VCLN is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2021	0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between AMZA and VCLN has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

AMZA vs. VCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AMZA	VCLN
Energy	99.8%	1.1%
Utilities	0.2%	39.8%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	36.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	22.4%

Return for Risk

AMZA vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMZA

AMZA Risk / Return Rank: 27
AMZA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
AMZA Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
AMZA Omega Ratio Rank: 25
AMZA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
AMZA Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 90
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

AMZA vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). 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.

	AMZA	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	3.30	-2.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	4.05	-2.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.51	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	7.66	-6.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.65	29.03	-25.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMZA vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMZA Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMZA and VCLN, 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

	AMZA	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	3.30	-2.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.02	0.30	-0.32

Drawdowns

AMZA vs. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMZA drawdown since its inception was -91.46%, which is greater than VCLN's maximum drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMZA and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMZA	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.46%	-45.66%	-45.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.16%	-12.58%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.56%	-29.25%	+10.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.19%	-1.16%	-9.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.02%	-24.09%	-20.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.82%	3.31%	+1.51%

Volatility

AMZA vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) is 5.80%, while Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) has a volatility of 9.04%. This indicates that AMZA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMZA	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	9.04%	-3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.40%	20.11%	-6.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.72%	29.22%	-11.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.84%	27.43%	-1.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.25%	27.43%	+9.82%

AMZA vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMZA has a 2.01% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMZA vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

AMZA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.02%, more than VCLN's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMZA InfraCap MLP ETF	8.02%	8.81%	7.29%	9.40%	7.65%	10.24%	22.13%	19.47%	34.46%	24.16%	18.36%	18.21%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.45%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMZA and VCLN in my portfolio?

AMZA and VCLN have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMZA or VCLN?

VCLN has higher volatility (9.04%) compared to AMZA (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMZA dropped -91.46% vs VCLN's -45.66%.

Which ETF is better, AMZA or VCLN?

On 3-year performance, AMZA leads with 22.02% vs 20.62% for VCLN. On fees, VCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, AMZA has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AMZA or VCLN?

Over the 3-year period, AMZA has performed better with a 22.02% return vs 20.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMZA or VCLN?

VCLN is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 2.01% for AMZA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AMZA or VCLN?

AMZA has the higher dividend yield at 8.02%, compared with 1.45% for VCLN.

What is the main difference between AMZA and VCLN?

AMZA is categorized as MLPs, while VCLN is Sustainable. Their fees differ too: 2.01% for AMZA and 0.59% for VCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 1.00), 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.