LITP vs. MLPA

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) and MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LITP is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LITP returned -11.07%/yr vs 17.10%/yr for MLPA. Their 0.13 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. LITP charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for MLPA.

Performance

LITP vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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, LITP achieves a -12.86% return, which is significantly lower than MLPA's 19.81% return.

LITP

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -15.83%
• 6M: -18.86%
• YTD: -12.86%
• 1Y: 65.64%
• 3Y*: -11.07%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -13.45%

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)
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	$291.88K	$314.31K	$845.68K
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	$13.80M	$11.47M	$11.08M

LITP vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	-12.86%	94.65%	-43.85%	-36.71%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	19.81%	5.73%	20.35%	10.55%

Correlation

The correlation between LITP and MLPA is -0.14, 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.	-0.14
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.13

The correlation between LITP and MLPA shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (1 year) to 0.13 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LITP vs. MLPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LITP	MLPA
Basic Materials	100.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	97.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	3.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	2.8%

Return for Risk

LITP vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 38
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 38
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

LITP vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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.

	LITP	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.52	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	2.17	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.26	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.43	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.77	6.55	-2.79

LITP vs. MLPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITP Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the MLPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITP 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

LITP vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITP drawdown since its inception was -74.94%, roughly equal to the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITP and MLPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITP	MLPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-78.75%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.50%	-7.73%	-37.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-70.42%	-14.20%	-56.22%
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	-42.21%	-1.66%	-40.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-20.07%	-22.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.48%	2.87%	+14.61%

Volatility

LITP vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) has a higher volatility of 10.49% compared to Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) at 3.90%. This indicates that LITP'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

	LITP	MLPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.49%	3.90%	+6.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.90%	9.64%	+29.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.84%	12.39%	+46.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.55%	17.68%	+29.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.55%	27.39%	+20.16%

LITP vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPA's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITP vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison

LITP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.50%, more than MLPA's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	8.50%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%	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 LITP and MLPA in my portfolio?

LITP and MLPA have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LITP or MLPA?

LITP has higher volatility (10.49%) compared to MLPA (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITP dropped -74.94% vs MLPA's -78.75%.

Which ETF is better, LITP or MLPA?

On 3-year performance, MLPA leads with 17.10% vs -11.07% for LITP. On fees, LITP is cheaper at 0.65% 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, LITP or MLPA?

Over the 3-year period, MLPA has performed better with a 17.10% return vs -11.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITP or MLPA?

LITP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for MLPA.

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

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 8.50%, compared with 7.05% for MLPA.

What is the main difference between LITP and MLPA?

LITP is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while MLPA is MLPs. LITP tracks Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LITP and 0.77% for MLPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.12), 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.