EMLP vs. XAIX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) and XAIX (Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMLP is a Infrastructure Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while XAIX is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index. EMLP is actively managed, while XAIX is passively managed. Over the past year, EMLP returned 19.09% vs 41.00% for XAIX. Their 0.13 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EMLP charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAIX.

Performance

EMLP vs. XAIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMLP achieves a 17.75% return, which is significantly lower than XAIX's 23.93% 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%

XAIX

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: -2.20%
• 6M: 21.95%
• YTD: 23.93%
• 1Y: 41.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.89%

*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
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	$920.82K	$1.57M	$1.97M

EMLP vs. XAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	17.75%	9.67%	13.18%
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	23.93%	29.05%	15.21%

Correlation

The correlation between EMLP and XAIX is -0.13, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2024	0.13

The correlation between EMLP and XAIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.13 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EMLP vs. XAIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMLP	XAIX
Utilities	55.2%	0.0%
Energy	25.9%	0.0%
Industrials	8.6%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	0.0%
Communication Services	-	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	4.4%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	79.0%

Return for Risk

EMLP vs. XAIX — 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

XAIX

XAIX Risk / Return Rank: 60
XAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
XAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
XAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
XAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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. XAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) and Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX). 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	XAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.45	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	1.97	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	2.21	+1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.54	6.70	+3.84

EMLP vs. XAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMLP Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the XAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMLP and XAIX, 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. XAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMLP drawdown since its inception was -43.61%, which is greater than XAIX's maximum drawdown of -23.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMLP and XAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMLP	XAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.61%	-23.95%	-19.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.94%	-16.95%	+12.01%
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	-1.94%	-12.74%	+10.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-3.99%	-1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.74%	5.59%	-3.85%

Volatility

EMLP vs. XAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is 3.87%, while Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) has a volatility of 9.18%. This indicates that EMLP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMLP	XAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	9.18%	-5.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.48%	22.99%	-14.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.36%	25.88%	-15.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.49%	25.09%	-10.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.67%	25.09%	-7.42%

EMLP vs. XAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMLP has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than XAIX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMLP vs. XAIX - Dividend Comparison

EMLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%, more than XAIX's 0.42% 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%
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	0.42%	0.54%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMLP and XAIX in my portfolio?

EMLP and XAIX 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 XAIX?

XAIX has higher volatility (9.18%) compared to EMLP (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMLP dropped -43.61% vs XAIX's -23.95%.

Which ETF is better, EMLP or XAIX?

On 1-year performance, XAIX leads with 41.00% vs 19.09% for EMLP. On fees, XAIX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, EMLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMLP or XAIX?

Over the 1-year period, XAIX has performed better with a 41.00% return vs 19.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMLP or XAIX?

XAIX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.

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

EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 0.42% for XAIX.

What is the main difference between EMLP and XAIX?

EMLP is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while XAIX is Artificial Intelligence. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.96% for EMLP and 0.35% for XAIX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.45), 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.