ILIT vs. MLPA

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

ILIT (Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF) and MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILIT is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ILIT returned -11.84%/yr vs 17.10%/yr for MLPA. Their 0.11 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ILIT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for MLPA.

Performance

ILIT vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) 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, ILIT achieves a -7.99% return, which is significantly lower than MLPA's 19.81% return.

ILIT

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: -15.72%
• 6M: -12.77%
• YTD: -7.99%
• 1Y: 63.01%
• 3Y*: -11.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -12.82%

MLPA

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 4.73%
• 6M: 11.17%
• YTD: 19.81%
• 1Y: 18.72%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 18.78%
• 10Y*: 6.28%
• ALL TIME*: 4.51%

*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)
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	$155.93K	$241.89K	$616.54K
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	$13.80M	$11.47M	$11.08M

ILIT vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	-7.99%	81.51%	-45.14%	-28.86%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	19.81%	5.73%	20.35%	8.88%

Correlation

The correlation between ILIT and MLPA is -0.17, 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.	-0.17
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2023	0.11

The correlation between ILIT and MLPA shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (1 year) to 0.11 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ILIT vs. MLPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILIT	MLPA
Basic Materials	82.9%	-
Industrials	12.5%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	-
Technology	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	97.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	2.8%

Return for Risk

ILIT vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ILIT

ILIT Risk / Return Rank: 40
ILIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
ILIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
ILIT Omega Ratio Rank: 41
ILIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ILIT Martin Ratio Rank: 36

MLPA

MLPA Risk / Return Rank: 54
MLPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
MLPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
MLPA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
MLPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
MLPA Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

ILIT vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) 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.

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.

	ILIT	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.52	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.17	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	2.43	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.99	6.55	-2.57

ILIT vs. MLPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the MLPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILIT 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.

Drawdowns

ILIT vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILIT drawdown since its inception was -73.69%, smaller than the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILIT and MLPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILIT	MLPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.69%	-78.75%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.92%	-7.73%	-36.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.78%	-14.20%	-55.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.75%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-74.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.81%	-1.66%	-38.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.06%	-20.07%	-24.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.85%	2.87%	+12.98%

Volatility

ILIT vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) has a higher volatility of 12.25% compared to Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) at 3.90%. This indicates that ILIT'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

	ILIT	MLPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.25%	3.90%	+8.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.99%	9.64%	+24.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.67%	12.39%	+38.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.00%	17.68%	+24.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	42.00%	27.39%	+14.61%

ILIT vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILIT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPA's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILIT vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison

ILIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, less than MLPA's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	2.24%	2.27%	6.48%	0.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	7.05%	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 ILIT and MLPA in my portfolio?

ILIT and MLPA 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.

Which is riskier, ILIT or MLPA?

ILIT has higher volatility (12.25%) compared to MLPA (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILIT dropped -73.69% vs MLPA's -78.75%.

Which ETF is better, ILIT or MLPA?

On 3-year performance, MLPA leads with 17.10% vs -11.84% for ILIT. On fees, ILIT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, MLPA has been the lower-risk option at 3.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILIT or MLPA?

Over the 3-year period, MLPA has performed better with a 17.10% return vs -11.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILIT or MLPA?

ILIT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for MLPA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ILIT or MLPA?

MLPA has the higher dividend yield at 7.05%, compared with 2.24% for ILIT.

What is the main difference between ILIT and MLPA?

ILIT is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while MLPA is MLPs. ILIT tracks STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ILIT and 0.77% for MLPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.25), 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.