IFRA vs. MLPB
IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) and MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) are both Infrastructure Equities funds - IFRA tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR) while MLPB tracks the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IFRA returned 13.28%/yr vs 22.18%/yr for MLPB. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IFRA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MLPB.
Performance
IFRA vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IFRA achieves a 16.00% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 26.62% return.
IFRA
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -2.67%
- 6M
- 8.92%
- YTD
- 16.00%
- 1Y
- 23.20%
- 3Y*
- 16.79%
- 5Y*
- 13.28%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 13.22%
MLPB
- 1D
- 1.16%
- 1M
- 7.18%
- 6M
- 17.75%
- YTD
- 26.62%
- 1Y
- 25.65%
- 3Y*
- 21.81%
- 5Y*
- 22.18%
- 10Y*
- 8.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.52%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20.72M | $20.65M | $23.36M | |
| $90.23K | $111.55K | $133.00K |
IFRA vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF | 16.00% | 15.90% | 17.02% | 13.42% | -3.32% | 29.81% | 7.37% | 27.00% | -7.97% |
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 26.62% | 7.40% | 25.53% | 22.01% | 30.22% | 39.42% | -30.80% | 5.69% | -0.62% |
Correlation
The correlation between IFRA and MLPB is 0.17, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018 | 0.53 |
Over the past year, the correlation between IFRA and MLPB has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
IFRA vs. MLPB — Risk / Return Rank
IFRA
MLPB
IFRA vs. MLPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). 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.
| IFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.29 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.61 | 2.56 | +0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.59 | 6.82 | +1.76 |
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Drawdowns
IFRA vs. MLPB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IFRA drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum MLPB drawdown of -71.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFRA and MLPB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.06% | -71.93% | +30.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.40% | -9.28% | +0.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.93% | -16.49% | -3.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.93% | -20.41% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -71.93% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.46% | 0.00% | -5.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.09% | -14.67% | +9.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.55% | 3.72% | -1.17% |
Volatility
IFRA vs. MLPB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is 4.01%, while ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) has a volatility of 4.65%. This indicates that IFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.01% | 4.65% | -0.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.02% | 11.14% | +0.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.40% | 14.17% | +1.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.87% | 19.62% | -1.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.29% | 27.20% | -5.91% |
IFRA vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IFRA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
IFRA vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison
IFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than MLPB's 5.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF | 1.61% | 1.84% | 1.75% | 1.98% | 1.98% | 1.63% | 2.08% | 1.68% | 2.50% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 5.70% | 6.51% | 5.95% | 6.37% | 6.00% | 6.98% | 11.93% | 7.98% | 8.11% | 7.23% | 6.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IFRA and MLPB have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPB has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to IFRA (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFRA dropped -41.06% vs MLPB's -71.93%.
On 5-year performance, MLPB leads with 22.18% vs 13.28% for IFRA. On fees, IFRA is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPB has performed better with a 22.18% return vs 13.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IFRA is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB has the higher dividend yield at 5.70%, compared with 1.61% for IFRA.
IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR), while MLPB tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IFRA and 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.43), 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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