ELFY vs. EMLP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ELFY (ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF) and EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) are both Infrastructure Equities funds. ELFY is passively managed, while EMLP is actively managed. Over the past year, ELFY returned 23.88% vs 18.98% for EMLP. Their 0.43 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ELFY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for EMLP.

Performance

ELFY vs. EMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ELFY having a 18.04% return and EMLP slightly lower at 17.64%.

ELFY

• 1D: 1.43%
• 1M: -3.83%
• 6M: 9.13%
• YTD: 18.04%
• 1Y: 23.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 42.33%

EMLP

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 11.82%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 1Y: 18.98%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 16.57%
• 10Y*: 10.02%
• ALL TIME*: 9.66%

*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)
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	$1.73M	$2.33M	$2.21M
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	$13.81M	$10.90M	$12.45M

ELFY vs. EMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	18.04%	34.72%
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	17.64%	11.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ELFY and EMLP is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2025	0.43

ELFY vs. EMLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ELFY	EMLP
Utilities	40.0%	55.2%
Industrials	26.0%	8.6%
Energy	16.0%	25.9%
Technology	12.8%	-
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ELFY vs. EMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

ELFY

ELFY Risk / Return Rank: 46
ELFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
ELFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
ELFY Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ELFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
ELFY Martin Ratio Rank: 53

EMLP

EMLP Risk / Return Rank: 80
EMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
EMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 73
EMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ELFY vs. EMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP). 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.

	ELFY	EMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	1.85	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	2.71	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.31	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	3.86	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.40	10.89	-4.49

ELFY vs. EMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ELFY Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the EMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ELFY and EMLP, 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

ELFY vs. EMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELFY drawdown since its inception was -13.61%, smaller than the maximum EMLP drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELFY and EMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELFY	EMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.61%	-43.61%	+30.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.61%	-4.94%	-8.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.47%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.59%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.16%	-2.03%	-7.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-5.71%	+3.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	1.75%	+1.99%

Volatility

ELFY vs. EMLP - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) has a higher volatility of 6.75% compared to First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) at 3.66%. This indicates that ELFY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ELFY	EMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.75%	3.66%	+3.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.01%	8.47%	+8.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.80%	10.35%	+10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.06%	14.49%	+5.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.06%	17.68%	+2.38%

ELFY vs. EMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELFY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than EMLP's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

ELFY vs. EMLP - Dividend Comparison

ELFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than EMLP's 2.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	1.04%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	2.77%	3.18%	3.19%	3.92%	3.15%	3.29%	4.70%	3.71%	4.71%	3.80%	3.62%	4.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ELFY and EMLP in my portfolio?

ELFY and EMLP have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ELFY or EMLP?

ELFY has higher volatility (6.75%) compared to EMLP (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ELFY dropped -13.61% vs EMLP's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, ELFY or EMLP?

On 1-year performance, ELFY leads with 23.88% vs 18.98% for EMLP. On fees, ELFY is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EMLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ELFY or EMLP?

Over the 1-year period, ELFY has performed better with a 23.88% return vs 18.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ELFY or EMLP?

ELFY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ELFY or EMLP?

EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 1.04% for ELFY.

What is the main difference between ELFY and EMLP?

They also come from different issuers: ALPS and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ELFY and 0.96% for EMLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.16), 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.