MLPA vs. BSMU
MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) and BSMU (Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, while BSMU is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Invesco Bulletshares Municipal Bond 2030 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MLPA returned 18.11%/yr vs -1.07%/yr for BSMU. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. MLPA charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for BSMU.
Performance
MLPA vs. BSMU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLPA achieves a 21.83% return, which is significantly higher than BSMU's -0.34% return.
MLPA
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 6.27%
- 6M
- 14.54%
- YTD
- 21.83%
- 1Y
- 20.93%
- 3Y*
- 16.99%
- 5Y*
- 18.11%
- 10Y*
- 6.71%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.63%
BSMU
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- -1.13%
- 6M
- -1.15%
- YTD
- -0.34%
- 1Y
- 2.49%
- 3Y*
- 2.44%
- 5Y*
- -1.07%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 0.12%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $923.23K | $1.24M | $1.23M | |
MLPA Global X MLP ETF | $8.12M | $8.66M | $10.73M |
MLPA vs. BSMU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPA Global X MLP ETF | 21.83% | 5.73% | 20.35% | 15.93% | 27.03% | 39.64% | 18.95% |
BSMU Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF | -0.34% | 4.35% | -0.29% | 6.31% | -13.76% | 1.88% | 4.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLPA and BSMU is -0.25, 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. | -0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.01 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2020 | -0.01 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between MLPA and BSMU has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.01 to -0.25, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
MLPA vs. BSMU — Risk / Return Rank
MLPA
BSMU
MLPA vs. BSMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) and Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMU). 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.
| MLPA | BSMU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.30 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.46 | 1.50 | +0.96 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.61 | 3.91 | +2.70 |
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Drawdowns
MLPA vs. BSMU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLPA drawdown since its inception was -78.75%, which is greater than BSMU's maximum drawdown of -19.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPA and BSMU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLPA | BSMU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.75% | -19.48% | -59.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.73% | -2.06% | -5.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.20% | -4.82% | -9.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.75% | -19.14% | +0.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -74.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -5.69% | +5.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -20.08% | -8.10% | -11.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.18% | 0.79% | +2.39% |
Volatility
MLPA vs. BSMU - Volatility Comparison
Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) has a higher volatility of 4.14% compared to Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF (BSMU) at 0.64%. This indicates that MLPA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLPA | BSMU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.14% | 0.64% | +3.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.72% | 1.65% | +8.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.47% | 2.14% | +10.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.73% | 4.81% | +12.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.39% | 4.79% | +22.60% |
MLPA vs. BSMU - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLPA has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than BSMU's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
MLPA vs. BSMU - Dividend Comparison
MLPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%, more than BSMU's 2.81% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSMU Invesco BulletShares 2030 Municipal Bond ETF | 2.81% | 2.82% | 2.92% | 2.66% | 2.16% | 1.60% | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
MLPA Global X MLP ETF | 6.93% | 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
MLPA and BSMU have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPA has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to BSMU (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPA dropped -78.75% vs BSMU's -19.48%.
On 5-year performance, MLPA leads with 18.11% vs -1.07% for BSMU. On fees, BSMU is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BSMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPA has performed better with a 18.11% return vs -1.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSMU is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for MLPA.
MLPA has the higher dividend yield at 6.93%, compared with 2.81% for BSMU.
MLPA is categorized as MLPs, while BSMU is Municipal Bonds. MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, while BSMU tracks Invesco Bulletshares Municipal Bond 2030 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for MLPA and 0.18% for BSMU.
MLPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.46), 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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