IMLPX vs. VGENX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

IMLPX (MainGate MLP Fund) and VGENX (Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IMLPX returned 9.02%/yr vs 9.30%/yr for VGENX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IMLPX charges 1.44%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for VGENX.

Performance

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MainGate MLP Fund (IMLPX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IMLPX having a 21.21% return and VGENX slightly lower at 20.78%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IMLPX having a 9.02% annualized return and VGENX not far ahead at 9.30%.

IMLPX

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 2.43%
• YTD: 21.21%
• 6M: 19.06%
• 1Y: 23.39%
• 3Y*: 24.57%
• 5Y*: 21.39%
• 10Y*: 9.02%

VGENX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.50%
• YTD: 20.78%
• 6M: 20.00%
• 1Y: 34.97%
• 3Y*: 28.58%
• 5Y*: 22.10%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IMLPX MainGate MLP Fund	21.21%	2.77%	34.76%	20.26%	33.69%	44.24%	-27.81%	7.14%	-22.20%	-7.92%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	20.78%	20.67%	30.25%	8.78%	23.59%	27.71%	-30.85%	13.23%	-17.19%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IMLPX and VGENX is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2011	0.73

The correlation between IMLPX and VGENX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IMLPX vs. VGENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMLPX

IMLPX Risk / Return Rank: 49
IMLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IMLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
IMLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IMLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IMLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VGENX

VGENX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VGENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VGENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VGENX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VGENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VGENX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MainGate MLP Fund (IMLPX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). 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.

	IMLPX	VGENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.96	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	4.02	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.52	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	6.24	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.44	21.12	-11.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the VGENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMLPX and VGENX, 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

	IMLPX	VGENX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.96	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.05	1.19	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.40	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.44	-0.13

Drawdowns

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMLPX drawdown since its inception was -76.39%, which is greater than VGENX's maximum drawdown of -65.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMLPX and VGENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMLPX	VGENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.39%	-65.37%	-11.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-5.71%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.93%	-12.30%	-3.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.00%	-19.72%	-2.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.19%	-61.19%	-11.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.11%	-3.66%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.69%	-14.93%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	1.69%	+0.87%

Volatility

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Volatility Comparison

MainGate MLP Fund (IMLPX) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) at 4.94%. This indicates that IMLPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMLPX	VGENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.70%	4.94%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.36%	10.14%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.52%	12.12%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.40%	18.71%	+1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.55%	23.19%	+3.36%

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMLPX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VGENX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMLPX vs. VGENX - Dividend Comparison

IMLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, less than VGENX's 7.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IMLPX MainGate MLP Fund	4.27%	4.55%	4.22%	5.04%	5.75%	7.22%	11.02%	9.83%	9.65%	6.98%	6.02%	7.01%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	7.10%	4.71%	33.96%	6.83%	4.63%	3.63%	4.46%	3.30%	2.96%	2.96%	1.84%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMLPX and VGENX in my portfolio?

IMLPX and VGENX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMLPX or VGENX?

IMLPX has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to VGENX (4.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMLPX dropped -76.39% vs VGENX's -65.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.81), 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.