MLPA vs. BBSB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) and BBSB (JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, while BBSB is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MLPA returned 17.58%/yr vs 4.15%/yr for BBSB. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. MLPA charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for BBSB.

Performance

MLPA vs. BBSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLPA achieves a 17.49% return, which is significantly higher than BBSB's 0.55% return.

MLPA

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 17.49%
• 6M: 14.69%
• 1Y: 19.63%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 15.86%
• 10Y*: 6.12%

BBSB

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 3.32%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MLPA vs. BBSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	17.49%	5.73%	20.35%	12.27%
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	0.55%	5.12%	4.00%	2.56%

Correlation

The correlation between MLPA and BBSB is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2023	-0.10

The correlation between MLPA and BBSB shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to -0.08 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MLPA vs. BBSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MLPA	BBSB
Energy	96.9%	-
Utilities	3.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	99.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

MLPA vs. BBSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

MLPA

MLPA Risk / Return Rank: 47
MLPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
MLPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
MLPA Omega Ratio Rank: 45
MLPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
MLPA Martin Ratio Rank: 45

BBSB

BBSB Risk / Return Rank: 84
BBSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
BBSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BBSB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BBSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BBSB Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

MLPA vs. BBSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB). 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.

	MLPA	BBSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.64	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	4.47	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.54	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	3.89	-1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	16.07	-8.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLPA vs. BBSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPA Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the BBSB Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPA and BBSB, 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

	MLPA	BBSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.64	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	2.36	-2.20

Drawdowns

MLPA vs. BBSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPA drawdown since its inception was -78.75%, which is greater than BBSB's maximum drawdown of -1.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPA and BBSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLPA	BBSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.75%	-1.57%	-77.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.33%	-0.86%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.20%	-0.96%	-13.24%
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	-2.67%	-0.18%	-2.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.27%	-0.31%	-19.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	0.21%	+2.53%

Volatility

MLPA vs. BBSB - Volatility Comparison

Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB) at 0.36%. This indicates that MLPA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BBSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLPA	BBSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	0.36%	+4.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	0.85%	+7.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	1.27%	+10.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.22%	1.66%	+16.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.47%	1.66%	+25.81%

MLPA vs. BBSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPA has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than BBSB's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLPA vs. BBSB - Dividend Comparison

MLPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.19%, more than BBSB's 3.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	3.81%	3.69%	4.84%	3.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	7.19%	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 MLPA and BBSB in my portfolio?

MLPA and BBSB have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLPA or BBSB?

MLPA has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to BBSB (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPA dropped -78.75% vs BBSB's -1.57%.

Which ETF is better, MLPA or BBSB?

On 3-year performance, MLPA leads with 17.58% vs 4.15% for BBSB. On fees, BBSB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, BBSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MLPA or BBSB?

Over the 3-year period, MLPA has performed better with a 17.58% return vs 4.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MLPA or BBSB?

BBSB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for MLPA.

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

MLPA has the higher dividend yield at 7.19%, compared with 3.81% for BBSB.

What is the main difference between MLPA and BBSB?

MLPA is categorized as MLPs, while BBSB is Government Bonds. MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, while BBSB tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for MLPA and 0.04% for BBSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.66), 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.