MLPB vs. QULL
MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) and QULL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPB is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while QULL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MLPB returned 19.42%/yr vs 16.15%/yr for QULL. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MLPB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QULL.
Performance
MLPB vs. QULL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLPB achieves a 19.72% return, which is significantly higher than QULL's 14.81% return.
MLPB
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.42%
- YTD
- 19.72%
- 6M
- 18.24%
- 1Y
- 20.60%
- 3Y*
- 22.21%
- 5Y*
- 19.42%
- 10Y*
- 10.20%
QULL
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 8.71%
- YTD
- 14.81%
- 6M
- 14.51%
- 1Y
- 38.22%
- 3Y*
- 32.28%
- 5Y*
- 16.15%
- 10Y*
- —
MLPB vs. QULL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 19.72% | 7.40% | 25.53% | 22.01% | 30.22% | 27.22% |
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN | 14.81% | 17.61% | 38.03% | 57.07% | -42.00% | 51.36% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLPB and QULL is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2021 | 0.37 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MLPB and QULL has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
MLPB vs. QULL — Risk / Return Rank
MLPB
QULL
MLPB vs. QULL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL). 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.
| MLPB | QULL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.27 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.14 | 2.08 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.60 | 9.22 | -2.63 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MLPB | QULL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.54 | 1.57 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 | 0.46 | +0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.24 | 0.55 | -0.32 |
Drawdowns
MLPB vs. QULL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLPB drawdown since its inception was -71.93%, which is greater than QULL's maximum drawdown of -51.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPB and QULL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLPB | QULL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -71.93% | -51.83% | -20.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.68% | -18.43% | +8.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.49% | -36.82% | +20.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.41% | -51.83% | +31.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -71.93% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.69% | -0.38% | -4.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.83% | -14.06% | -0.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.13% | 4.15% | -1.02% |
Volatility
MLPB vs. QULL - Volatility Comparison
ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) at 4.68%. This indicates that MLPB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QULL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLPB | QULL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.40% | 4.68% | +0.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.05% | 18.79% | -8.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.51% | 24.46% | -10.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.03% | 35.62% | -15.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.11% | 35.15% | -7.04% |
MLPB vs. QULL - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLPB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than QULL's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
MLPB vs. QULL - Dividend Comparison
MLPB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.85%, while QULL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 5.85% | 6.51% | 5.95% | 6.37% | 6.00% | 6.98% | 11.93% | 7.98% | 8.11% | 7.23% | 6.85% |
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MLPB and QULL have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPB has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to QULL (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPB dropped -71.93% vs QULL's -51.83%.
On 5-year performance, MLPB leads with 19.42% vs 16.15% for QULL. On fees, MLPB is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, QULL has been the lower-risk option at 4.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPB has performed better with a 19.42% return vs 16.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MLPB is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QULL.
MLPB has the higher dividend yield at 5.85%, compared with 0.00% for QULL.
MLPB is categorized as MLPs, while QULL is Leveraged Equities. MLPB tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while QULL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for MLPB and 0.95% for QULL.
QULL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.54), 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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