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IYE vs. MLPX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYE vs. MLPX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) and MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, while MLPX is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYE returned 8.18%/yr vs 12.45%/yr for MLPX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYE charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for MLPX.

Performance

IYE vs. MLPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) 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, IYE achieves a 22.97% return, which is significantly lower than MLPX's 25.35% return. Over the past 10 years, IYE has underperformed MLPX with an annualized return of 8.18%, while MLPX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.45% annualized return.

IYE

1D
0.57%
1M
-7.66%
YTD
22.97%
6M
23.46%
1Y
29.78%
3Y*
15.35%
5Y*
17.82%
10Y*
8.18%

MLPX

1D
1.68%
1M
-3.98%
YTD
25.35%
6M
25.51%
1Y
27.11%
3Y*
29.56%
5Y*
21.27%
10Y*
12.45%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYE vs. MLPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYE
iShares U.S. Energy ETF		22.97%7.33%6.06%-2.21%60.21%53.42%-33.49%10.03%-19.37%-1.80%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		25.35%4.96%42.90%15.77%21.54%39.63%-20.32%19.04%-15.64%-4.53%

Correlation

The correlation between IYE and MLPX is 0.65, 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

0.65

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

0.69

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

0.78

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

0.80

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

0.79

The correlation between IYE and MLPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.80 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYE vs. MLPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYE
MLPX

Energy

98.1%
99.5%

Technology

1.9%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

0.3%

Energy

IYE
98.1%
MLPX
99.5%

Technology

IYE
1.9%
MLPX

-

Basic Materials

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Communication Services

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Consumer Defensive

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Financial Services

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Healthcare

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Industrials

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Real Estate

IYE

-

MLPX

-

Utilities

IYE

-

MLPX
0.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares U.S. Energy ETF

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF

Often compared with IYE:
IYE vs. XLEIYE vs. VDEIYE vs. IXCIYE vs. FENYIYE vs. OIHIYE vs. IYHIYE vs. XOP
Often compared with MLPX:
MLPX vs. ENFRMLPX vs. XLEMLPX vs. VDEMLPX vs. VOOMLPX vs. UMIMLPX vs. TPYPMLPX vs. MLPD.L

Return for Risk

IYE vs. MLPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYE
IYE Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
IYE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYE Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYE Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
IYE Calmar Ratio Rank: 4545
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYE Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
MLPX
MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 4949
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.

IYE vs. MLPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) 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.

IYEMLPXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.48
1.77

-0.29

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.00
2.46

-0.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.30

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.17

3.33

-1.16

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.52

8.00

-1.48

IYE vs. MLPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYE Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the MLPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYE 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

IYE vs. MLPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYE drawdown since its inception was -73.74%, roughly equal to the maximum MLPX drawdown of -70.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYE and MLPX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYEMLPXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.74%

-70.67%

-3.07%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.81%

-8.18%

-5.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.37%

-16.77%

-3.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.61%

-19.72%

-5.89%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-68.59%

-64.70%

-3.89%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-12.15%

-4.34%

-7.81%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.34%

-16.58%

-2.76%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.58%

3.40%

+1.18%

Volatility

IYE vs. MLPX - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) has a higher volatility of 6.94% compared to Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) at 5.80%. This indicates that IYE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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

IYEMLPXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.94%

5.80%

+1.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.40%

11.78%

+4.62%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.39%

15.43%

+4.96%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.66%

19.99%

+5.67%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.52%

26.47%

+3.05%

IYE vs. MLPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYE has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYE vs. MLPX - Dividend Comparison

IYE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than MLPX's 4.09% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYE
iShares U.S. Energy ETF		2.31%2.85%2.75%2.99%3.37%2.98%4.75%6.60%3.16%2.66%2.11%3.39%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		4.09%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

IYE and MLPX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IYE has higher volatility (6.94%) compared to MLPX (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYE dropped -73.74% vs MLPX's -70.67%.

On 10-year performance, MLPX leads with 12.45% vs 8.18% for IYE. On fees, IYE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, MLPX has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. 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 12.45% return vs 8.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYE is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 2.31% for IYE.

IYE is categorized as Energy Equities, while MLPX is MLPs. IYE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, while MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYE and 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.48), 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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