MLPB vs. UCIB
MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) and UCIB (ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPB is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while UCIB is a Commodities fund tracking the UBS Bloomberg CMCI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MLPB returned 8.03%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for UCIB. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MLPB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for UCIB.
Performance
MLPB vs. UCIB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MLPB having a 17.00% return and UCIB slightly higher at 17.40%. Over the past 10 years, MLPB has underperformed UCIB with an annualized return of 8.03%, while UCIB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.99% annualized return.
MLPB
- 1D
- 2.04%
- 1M
- -6.13%
- YTD
- 17.00%
- 6M
- 16.53%
- 1Y
- 18.65%
- 3Y*
- 21.94%
- 5Y*
- 18.51%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
UCIB
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- -5.98%
- YTD
- 17.40%
- 6M
- 17.51%
- 1Y
- 22.65%
- 3Y*
- 11.68%
- 5Y*
- 11.67%
- 10Y*
- 9.99%
MLPB vs. UCIB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 17.00% | 7.40% | 25.53% | 22.01% | 30.22% | 39.42% | -30.80% | 5.69% | -8.79% | -9.71% |
UCIB ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B | 17.40% | 8.97% | 6.58% | -2.26% | 18.24% | 37.34% | 1.10% | 10.86% | -9.48% | 5.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLPB and UCIB is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2015 | 0.31 |
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Return for Risk
MLPB vs. UCIB — Risk / Return Rank
MLPB
UCIB
MLPB vs. UCIB - 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 CMCI Total Return ETN Series B (UCIB). 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.
| MLPB | UCIB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.22 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.93 | 1.28 | +0.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.43 | 3.95 | +1.48 |
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Drawdowns
MLPB vs. UCIB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLPB drawdown since its inception was -71.93%, which is greater than UCIB's maximum drawdown of -51.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPB and UCIB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLPB | UCIB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -71.93% | -51.29% | -20.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.68% | -17.82% | +8.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.49% | -17.82% | +1.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.41% | -20.95% | +0.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -71.93% | -36.94% | -34.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.86% | -17.82% | +10.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.78% | -21.03% | +6.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.44% | 5.76% | -2.32% |
Volatility
MLPB vs. UCIB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) is 5.33%, while ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B (UCIB) has a volatility of 7.47%. This indicates that MLPB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UCIB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLPB | UCIB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.33% | 7.47% | -2.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.30% | 31.71% | -21.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.70% | 32.37% | -18.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.90% | 26.86% | -6.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.16% | 23.33% | +3.83% |
MLPB vs. UCIB - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLPB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than UCIB's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
MLPB vs. UCIB - Dividend Comparison
MLPB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.99%, while UCIB 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 | 5.99% | 6.51% | 5.95% | 6.37% | 6.00% | 6.98% | 11.93% | 7.98% | 8.11% | 7.23% | 6.85% |
UCIB ETRACS CMCI Total Return ETN Series B | 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 UCIB have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UCIB has higher volatility (7.47%) compared to MLPB (5.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPB dropped -71.93% vs UCIB's -51.29%.
On 10-year performance, UCIB leads with 9.99% vs 8.03% for MLPB. On fees, UCIB is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, MLPB has been the lower-risk option at 5.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UCIB has performed better with a 9.99% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UCIB is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB has the higher dividend yield at 5.99%, compared with 0.00% for UCIB.
MLPB is categorized as MLPs, while UCIB is Commodities. MLPB tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, while UCIB tracks UBS Bloomberg CMCI Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for MLPB and 0.55% for UCIB.
MLPB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 0.70), 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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