BGLD vs. MLPX
BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) and MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest, while MLPX is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. BGLD is actively managed, while MLPX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BGLD returned 10.99%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for MLPX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BGLD charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for MLPX.
Performance
BGLD vs. MLPX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BGLD achieves a -3.71% return, which is significantly lower than MLPX's 25.35% return.
BGLD
- 1D
- -0.57%
- 1M
- -4.77%
- YTD
- -3.71%
- 6M
- -6.89%
- 1Y
- 7.94%
- 3Y*
- 18.31%
- 5Y*
- 10.99%
- 10Y*
- —
MLPX
- 1D
- 1.68%
- 1M
- -3.98%
- YTD
- 25.35%
- 6M
- 25.51%
- 1Y
- 27.11%
- 3Y*
- 29.56%
- 5Y*
- 21.27%
- 10Y*
- 12.45%
BGLD vs. MLPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -3.71% | 33.03% | 21.80% | 13.24% | -2.42% | -5.53% |
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 25.35% | 4.96% | 42.90% | 15.77% | 21.54% | 25.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between BGLD and MLPX is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2021 | 0.14 |
The correlation between BGLD and MLPX shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BGLD vs. MLPX — Risk / Return Rank
BGLD
MLPX
BGLD vs. MLPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) and Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX). 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.
| BGLD | MLPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.30 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.70 | 3.33 | -2.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.96 | 8.00 | -6.04 |
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Drawdowns
BGLD vs. MLPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BGLD drawdown since its inception was -16.19%, smaller than the maximum MLPX drawdown of -70.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGLD and MLPX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BGLD | MLPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.19% | -70.67% | +54.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.42% | -8.18% | -3.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.42% | -16.77% | +5.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.42% | -19.72% | +4.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -64.70% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.95% | -4.34% | -6.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.69% | -16.58% | +12.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.07% | 3.40% | +0.67% |
Volatility
BGLD vs. MLPX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) is 4.56%, while Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) has a volatility of 5.80%. This indicates that BGLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BGLD | MLPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.56% | 5.80% | -1.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.79% | 11.78% | -0.99% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.55% | 15.43% | -2.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.13% | 19.99% | -9.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.02% | 26.47% | -16.45% |
BGLD vs. MLPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BGLD has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than MLPX's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
BGLD vs. MLPX - Dividend Comparison
BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.03%, more than MLPX's 4.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 46.03% | 44.32% | 25.04% | 10.49% | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 4.09% | 4.88% | 4.30% | 5.22% | 5.23% | 5.98% | 8.32% | 5.78% | 5.77% | 4.36% | 5.50% | 4.81% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BGLD and MLPX have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPX has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to BGLD (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGLD dropped -16.19% vs MLPX's -70.67%.
On 5-year performance, MLPX leads with 21.27% vs 10.99% for BGLD. On fees, MLPX is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, BGLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPX has performed better with a 21.27% return vs 10.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MLPX is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.
BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 46.03%, compared with 4.09% for MLPX.
BGLD is categorized as Defined Outcome, while MLPX is MLPs. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.91% for BGLD and 0.45% for MLPX.
MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.64), 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.
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