AXP vs. AMLP

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AXP (American Express Company) is a stock, while AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) is MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Over the past 10 years, AXP returned 19.88%/yr vs 6.92%/yr for AMLP. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AXP vs. AMLP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AXP achieves a -11.56% return, which is significantly lower than AMLP's 15.29% return. Over the past 10 years, AXP has outperformed AMLP with an annualized return of 19.88%, while AMLP has yielded a comparatively lower 6.92% annualized return.

AXP

• 1D: 2.18%
• 1M: 5.11%
• YTD: -11.56%
• 6M: -14.47%
• 1Y: 10.36%
• 3Y*: 24.40%
• 5Y*: 16.02%
• 10Y*: 19.88%

AMLP

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 15.29%
• 6M: 14.35%
• 1Y: 14.76%
• 3Y*: 20.22%
• 5Y*: 15.26%
• 10Y*: 6.92%

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

AXP vs. AMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AXP American Express Company	-11.56%	25.99%	60.32%	28.67%	-8.52%	36.88%	-1.14%	32.52%	-2.62%	36.22%
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	15.29%	5.78%	22.76%	21.40%	25.47%	39.09%	-32.26%	5.99%	-12.67%	-7.89%

Correlation

The correlation between AXP and AMLP is 0.08, 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	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2010	0.38

Over the past year, the correlation between AXP and AMLP has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.38, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AXP vs. AMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

AXP

AXP Risk / Return Rank: 52
AXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
AXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
AXP Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AXP Martin Ratio Rank: 53

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 38
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

AXP vs. AMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Express Company (AXP) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). 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.

	AXP	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	1.25	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.69	1.79	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.22	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	1.66	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.93	5.35	-4.42

AXP vs. AMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AXP Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the AMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AXP and AMLP, 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

AXP vs. AMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AXP drawdown since its inception was -83.91%, which is greater than AMLP's maximum drawdown of -77.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AXP and AMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	AXP	AMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.91%	-77.19%	-6.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.90%	-8.94%	-14.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.76%	-14.27%	-14.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.55%	-20.92%	-10.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.64%	-72.62%	+22.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.99%	-4.94%	-10.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.05%	-17.37%	-4.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.15%	2.77%	+8.38%

Volatility

AXP vs. AMLP - Volatility Comparison

American Express Company (AXP) has a higher volatility of 6.90% compared to Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) at 4.71%. This indicates that AXP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AXP	AMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.90%	4.71%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.01%	8.77%	+11.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.46%	11.84%	+14.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.50%	19.95%	+9.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.83%	27.67%	+4.16%

Dividends

AXP vs. AMLP - Dividend Comparison

AXP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than AMLP's 7.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
AXP American Express Company	1.05%	0.85%	0.91%	1.24%	1.35%	1.05%	1.42%	1.29%	1.51%	1.32%	1.61%	1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AXP and AMLP in my portfolio?

AXP and AMLP have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AXP or AMLP?

AXP has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to AMLP (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AXP dropped -83.91% vs AMLP's -77.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.39), 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.