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IGF vs. MLPX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGF vs. MLPX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) and MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure Index, while MLPX is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGF returned 8.67%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for MLPX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGF charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for MLPX.

Performance

IGF vs. MLPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGF achieves a 9.68% return, which is significantly lower than MLPX's 25.23% return. Over the past 10 years, IGF has underperformed MLPX with an annualized return of 8.67%, while MLPX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.72% annualized return.

IGF

1D
0.67%
1M
-0.03%
YTD
9.68%
6M
10.24%
1Y
17.04%
3Y*
16.28%
5Y*
10.22%
10Y*
8.67%

MLPX

1D
0.30%
1M
-1.75%
YTD
25.23%
6M
25.77%
1Y
24.35%
3Y*
28.72%
5Y*
20.50%
10Y*
12.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGF vs. MLPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		9.68%21.31%14.81%6.14%-1.26%11.57%-6.50%25.82%-9.95%19.31%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		25.23%4.96%42.90%15.77%21.54%39.63%-20.32%19.04%-15.64%-4.53%

Correlation

The correlation between IGF and MLPX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 7, 2013

0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between IGF and MLPX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IGF vs. MLPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IGF
MLPX

Industrials

40.6%

-

Utilities

39.7%
0.3%

Energy

19.6%
99.6%

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Technology

-

-

Industrials

IGF
40.6%
MLPX

-

Utilities

IGF
39.7%
MLPX
0.3%

Energy

IGF
19.6%
MLPX
99.6%

Real Estate

IGF
0.1%
MLPX

-

Basic Materials

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Communication Services

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Consumer Cyclical

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Consumer Defensive

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Financial Services

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Healthcare

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Technology

IGF

-

MLPX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Global Infrastructure ETF

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF

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Often compared with MLPX:
MLPX vs. ENFRMLPX vs. XLEMLPX vs. VDEMLPX vs. VOOMLPX vs. UMIMLPX vs. IYEMLPX vs. TPYP

Return for Risk

IGF vs. MLPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGF
IGF Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
MLPX
MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGF vs. MLPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX). 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.

IGFMLPXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.55
1.65

-0.10

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.22
2.30

-0.08

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.28

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.78

3.07

-0.29

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.03

7.67

+0.36

IGF vs. MLPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGF Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the MLPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGF and MLPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IGF vs. MLPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGF drawdown since its inception was -58.33%, smaller than the maximum MLPX drawdown of -70.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGF and MLPX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGFMLPXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.33%

-70.67%

+12.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.87%

-8.18%

+2.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.28%

-16.77%

+2.49%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.83%

-19.72%

-1.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.11%

-64.70%

+22.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.98%

-4.43%

+1.45%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.86%

-16.60%

+4.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.04%

3.26%

-1.22%

Volatility

IGF vs. MLPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) is 3.85%, while Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) has a volatility of 5.77%. This indicates that IGF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGFMLPXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.85%

5.77%

-1.92%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.73%

11.69%

-2.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.58%

15.23%

-4.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.00%

20.08%

-6.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.83%

26.48%

-9.65%

IGF vs. MLPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGF has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGF vs. MLPX - Dividend Comparison

IGF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.94%, less than MLPX's 4.10% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		2.94%3.23%3.21%3.36%2.67%2.42%2.33%3.27%3.52%2.95%2.98%3.25%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		4.10%4.88%4.30%5.22%5.23%5.98%8.32%5.78%5.77%4.36%5.50%4.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGF and MLPX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MLPX has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to IGF (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGF dropped -58.33% vs MLPX's -70.67%.

On 10-year performance, MLPX leads with 12.72% vs 8.67% for IGF. On fees, IGF is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, MLPX has performed better with a 12.72% return vs 8.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IGF is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX has the higher dividend yield at 4.10%, compared with 2.94% for IGF.

IGF is categorized as Industrials Equities, while MLPX is MLPs. IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure Index, while MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGF and 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.55), 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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