EMLP vs. FAI
EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) and FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMLP is a MLPs fund actively managed by First Trust, while FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index. EMLP is actively managed, while FAI is passively managed. Over the past year, EMLP returned 21.51% vs 49.94% for FAI. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMLP charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for FAI.
Performance
EMLP vs. FAI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMLP achieves a 17.26% return, which is significantly lower than FAI's 28.90% return.
EMLP
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- 6M
- 17.02%
- YTD
- 17.26%
- 1Y
- 21.51%
- 3Y*
- 21.06%
- 5Y*
- 16.11%
- 10Y*
- 9.90%
FAI
- 1D
- -0.41%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 25.51%
- YTD
- 28.90%
- 1Y
- 49.94%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMLP vs. FAI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 17.26% | 9.67% | -2.49% |
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 28.90% | 33.37% | 2.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMLP and FAI is -0.15, 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 | -0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024 | 0.06 |
The correlation between EMLP and FAI shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EMLP vs. FAI — Risk / Return Rank
EMLP
FAI
EMLP vs. FAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) and First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI). 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.
| EMLP | FAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.30 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.37 | 2.64 | +1.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.50 | 7.77 | +4.73 |
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Drawdowns
EMLP vs. FAI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMLP drawdown since its inception was -43.61%, which is greater than FAI's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMLP and FAI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMLP | FAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.61% | -27.82% | -15.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.94% | -18.84% | +13.90% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.40% | -8.44% | +7.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.73% | -5.48% | -0.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.72% | 6.38% | -4.66% |
Volatility
EMLP vs. FAI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is 3.63%, while First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) has a volatility of 11.84%. This indicates that EMLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMLP | FAI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.63% | 11.84% | -8.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.25% | 23.56% | -15.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.18% | 27.99% | -17.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.52% | 31.12% | -16.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.67% | 31.12% | -13.45% |
EMLP vs. FAI - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMLP has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than FAI's 0.65% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMLP vs. FAI - Dividend Comparison
EMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, while FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMLP and FAI have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAI has higher volatility (11.84%) compared to EMLP (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMLP dropped -43.61% vs FAI's -27.82%.
On 1-year performance, FAI leads with 49.94% vs 21.51% for EMLP. On fees, FAI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, EMLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FAI has performed better with a 49.94% return vs 21.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FAI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.
EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.
EMLP is categorized as MLPs, while FAI is Technology Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for EMLP and 0.65% for FAI.
EMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.77), 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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