IFED vs. MLPR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) and MLPR (ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds from UBS - IFED tracks the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross while MLPR tracks the Alerian MLP Index (150%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IFED returned 16.71%/yr vs 32.14%/yr for MLPR. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IFED charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for MLPR.

Performance

IFED vs. MLPR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFED achieves a -3.52% return, which is significantly lower than MLPR's 29.81% return.

IFED

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 4.85%
• YTD: -3.52%
• 6M: -3.51%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MLPR

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 29.81%
• 6M: 26.95%
• 1Y: 32.42%
• 3Y*: 32.14%
• 5Y*: 26.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

IFED vs. MLPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-3.52%	15.02%	23.04%	20.78%	-1.46%	8.46%
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	29.81%	9.83%	31.57%	35.87%	41.04%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between IFED and MLPR is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2021	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between IFED and MLPR has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IFED vs. MLPR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

MLPR

MLPR Risk / Return Rank: 44
MLPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
MLPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
MLPR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
MLPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
MLPR Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

IFED vs. MLPR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR). 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.

	IFED	MLPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.59	-1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	2.11	-1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.27	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	2.33	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.34	7.53	-7.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFED vs. MLPR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFED Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the MLPR Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFED and MLPR, 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

	IFED	MLPR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12	1.59	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.93	-0.29

Drawdowns

IFED vs. MLPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFED drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, smaller than the maximum MLPR drawdown of -48.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFED and MLPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFED	MLPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-48.98%	+26.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.65%	-13.97%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.36%	-24.45%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.50%	-7.07%	+1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-8.94%	+3.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	4.32%	+1.43%

Volatility

IFED vs. MLPR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) is 4.50%, while ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) has a volatility of 8.12%. This indicates that IFED experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFED	MLPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	8.12%	-3.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.86%	14.85%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	20.64%	-4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.88%	29.52%	-9.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.88%	33.75%	-13.87%

IFED vs. MLPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFED has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFED vs. MLPR - Dividend Comparison

IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MLPR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	9.00%	10.85%	9.57%	10.08%	7.49%	10.69%	4.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFED and MLPR in my portfolio?

IFED and MLPR have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFED or MLPR?

MLPR has higher volatility (8.12%) compared to IFED (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFED dropped -22.36% vs MLPR's -48.98%.

Which ETF is better, IFED or MLPR?

On 3-year performance, MLPR leads with 32.14% vs 16.71% for IFED. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFED or MLPR?

Over the 3-year period, MLPR has performed better with a 32.14% return vs 16.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFED or MLPR?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for MLPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFED or MLPR?

MLPR has the higher dividend yield at 9.00%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between IFED and MLPR?

IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while MLPR tracks Alerian MLP Index (150%). Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IFED and 0.95% for MLPR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.12), 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.