LIT vs. MLPA

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

LIT (Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF) and MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LIT is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the Solactive Global Lithium Index, while MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LIT returned 12.82%/yr vs 6.28%/yr for MLPA. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. LIT charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for MLPA.

Performance

LIT vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) 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, LIT achieves a 12.49% return, which is significantly lower than MLPA's 19.81% return. Over the past 10 years, LIT has outperformed MLPA with an annualized return of 12.82%, while MLPA has yielded a comparatively lower 6.28% annualized return.

LIT

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: -4.62%
• 6M: 3.07%
• YTD: 12.49%
• 1Y: 73.37%
• 3Y*: 5.48%
• 5Y*: -2.61%
• 10Y*: 12.82%
• ALL TIME*: 6.67%

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)
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	$15.84M	$16.64M	$32.68M
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	$13.80M	$11.47M	$11.08M

LIT vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	12.49%	60.05%	-19.19%	-12.18%	-29.91%	36.74%	127.88%	3.27%	-28.63%	64.19%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	19.81%	5.73%	20.35%	15.93%	27.03%	39.64%	-33.97%	11.91%	-15.71%	-8.31%

Correlation

The correlation between LIT 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 (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2012	0.34

The correlation between LIT and MLPA shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LIT vs. MLPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LIT	MLPA
Basic Materials	47.9%	-
Industrials	22.9%	3.8%
Technology	20.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	97.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	2.8%

Return for Risk

LIT vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIT

LIT Risk / Return Rank: 72
LIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
LIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
LIT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
LIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
LIT Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

LIT vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) 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.

	LIT	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.52	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.17	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.26	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.43	+0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	6.55	+1.87

LIT vs. MLPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIT Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the MLPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIT 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

LIT vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIT drawdown since its inception was -65.91%, smaller than the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIT and MLPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIT	MLPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.91%	-78.75%	+12.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.84%	-7.73%	-19.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.65%	-14.20%	-34.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.91%	-18.75%	-47.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.91%	-74.05%	+8.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.35%	-1.66%	-19.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.47%	-20.07%	-13.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.74%	2.87%	+5.87%

Volatility

LIT vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison

Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) has a higher volatility of 9.63% compared to Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) at 3.90%. This indicates that LIT'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

	LIT	MLPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.63%	3.90%	+5.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.74%	9.64%	+15.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.49%	12.39%	+22.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.91%	17.68%	+14.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.82%	27.39%	+3.43%

LIT vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIT has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPA's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

LIT vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison

LIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, less than MLPA's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	0.69%	0.49%	0.93%	1.11%	0.99%	0.22%	0.40%	1.85%	2.52%	3.26%	2.15%	0.24%
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 LIT and MLPA in my portfolio?

LIT 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, LIT or MLPA?

LIT has higher volatility (9.63%) compared to MLPA (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIT dropped -65.91% vs MLPA's -78.75%.

Which ETF is better, LIT or MLPA?

On 10-year performance, LIT leads with 12.82% vs 6.28% for MLPA. On fees, LIT is cheaper at 0.75% 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, LIT or MLPA?

Over the 10-year period, LIT has performed better with a 12.82% return vs 6.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LIT or MLPA?

LIT is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for MLPA.

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

MLPA has the higher dividend yield at 7.05%, compared with 0.69% for LIT.

What is the main difference between LIT and MLPA?

LIT is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while MLPA is MLPs. LIT tracks Solactive Global Lithium Index, while MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for LIT and 0.77% for MLPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.52), 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.