EMLP vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMLP is a Infrastructure Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. EMLP is actively managed, while RDVY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMLP returned 10.12%/yr vs 16.25%/yr for RDVY. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EMLP charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

EMLP vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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 EMLP having a 17.75% return and RDVY slightly lower at 17.25%. Over the past 10 years, EMLP has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 10.12%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.25% annualized return.

EMLP

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 0.62%
• 6M: 11.20%
• YTD: 17.75%
• 1Y: 19.09%
• 3Y*: 20.43%
• 5Y*: 16.56%
• 10Y*: 10.12%
• ALL TIME*: 9.68%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 12.71%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 1Y: 30.74%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 16.25%
• ALL TIME*: 13.76%

*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)
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	$12.88M	$10.50M	$12.16M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$77.65M	$79.19M	$83.63M

EMLP vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	17.75%	9.67%	33.39%	8.05%	10.39%	23.20%	-13.36%	23.40%	-8.70%	1.07%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	17.25%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EMLP and RDVY is 0.13, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between EMLP and RDVY has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EMLP vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMLP	RDVY
Utilities	55.2%	1.4%
Energy	25.9%	2.8%
Industrials	8.6%	12.5%
Basic Materials	1.7%	-
Communication Services	-	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.8%
Financial Services	-	38.9%
Healthcare	-	5.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	19.4%

Return for Risk

EMLP vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMLP

EMLP Risk / Return Rank: 80
EMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
EMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 73
EMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
EMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 81

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 85
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

EMLP vs. RDVY - 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 Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.00	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.87	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.35	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	3.25	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.54	13.63	-3.09

EMLP vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMLP Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMLP and RDVY, 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

EMLP vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMLP drawdown since its inception was -43.61%, which is greater than RDVY's maximum drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMLP and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMLP	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.61%	-40.60%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.94%	-9.04%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.47%	-19.11%	+7.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.59%	-25.32%	+10.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.61%	-40.60%	-3.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	0.00%	-1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-4.95%	-0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.74%	2.15%	-0.41%

Volatility

EMLP vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) has a higher volatility of 3.87% compared to First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) at 3.53%. This indicates that EMLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMLP	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	3.53%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.48%	11.46%	-2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.36%	14.65%	-4.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.49%	18.92%	-4.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.67%	21.03%	-3.36%

EMLP vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMLP has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMLP vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

EMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	2.76%	3.18%	3.19%	3.92%	3.15%	3.29%	4.70%	3.71%	4.71%	3.80%	3.62%	4.63%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMLP and RDVY in my portfolio?

EMLP and RDVY have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMLP or RDVY?

EMLP has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to RDVY (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMLP dropped -43.61% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, EMLP or RDVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.25% vs 10.12% for EMLP. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMLP or RDVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.25% return vs 10.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMLP or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.

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

EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between EMLP and RDVY?

EMLP is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while RDVY is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for EMLP and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.78), 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.