GLEIX vs. MLPA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GLEIX (Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund) and MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) are both funds - GLEIX is a Energy Equities fund managed by Goldman Sachs, while MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Over the past 5 years, GLEIX returned 23.25%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for MLPA. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GLEIX charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for MLPA.

Performance

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund (GLEIX) and Global X MLP ETF (MLPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLEIX achieves a 21.54% return, which is significantly higher than MLPA's 16.44% return.

GLEIX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: 21.54%
• 6M: 22.70%
• 1Y: 24.41%
• 3Y*: 31.90%
• 5Y*: 23.25%
• 10Y*: —

MLPA

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 16.44%
• 6M: 15.94%
• 1Y: 18.32%
• 3Y*: 17.24%
• 5Y*: 15.74%
• 10Y*: 6.25%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GLEIX Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund	21.54%	5.30%	58.18%	15.08%	18.96%	38.31%	-17.46%	16.95%	-15.17%	6.98%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	16.44%	5.73%	20.35%	15.93%	27.03%	39.64%	-33.97%	11.91%	-15.71%	3.78%

Correlation

The correlation between GLEIX and MLPA is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2017	0.88

The correlation between GLEIX and MLPA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GLEIX vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GLEIX

GLEIX Risk / Return Rank: 45
GLEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
GLEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
GLEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GLEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
GLEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

MLPA

MLPA Risk / Return Rank: 43
MLPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
MLPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
MLPA Omega Ratio Rank: 39
MLPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
MLPA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund (GLEIX) and Global X MLP ETF (MLPA). 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.

	GLEIX	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.53	+0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	2.17	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.26	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	2.32	+1.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.03	7.10	+1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLEIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the MLPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLEIX and MLPA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GLEIX	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.53	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.13	0.87	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.16	+0.43

Drawdowns

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLEIX drawdown since its inception was -59.27%, smaller than the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLEIX and MLPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLEIX	MLPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.27%	-78.75%	+19.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-8.33%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.07%	-14.20%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.89%	-18.75%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-74.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.29%	-3.54%	-2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.54%	-20.28%	+11.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.72%	+0.11%

Volatility

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund (GLEIX) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) at 4.52%. This indicates that GLEIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MLPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLEIX	MLPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	4.52%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	8.46%	+2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	12.02%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.65%	18.21%	+2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.47%	27.47%	-2.00%

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLEIX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than MLPA's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLEIX vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison

GLEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.23%, more than MLPA's 7.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLEIX Goldman Sachs Energy Infrastructure Fund	8.23%	10.00%	25.43%	10.22%	4.70%	8.41%	4.17%	4.83%	3.54%	0.68%	0.00%	0.00%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	7.25%	7.82%	7.25%	7.49%	7.30%	8.72%	13.84%	9.09%	10.00%	8.05%	7.15%	9.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLEIX and MLPA in my portfolio?

GLEIX and MLPA have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GLEIX or MLPA?

GLEIX has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to MLPA (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLEIX dropped -59.27% vs MLPA's -78.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.53), 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.