MLPR vs. BDCX
MLPR (ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN) and BDCX (ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Leveraged MVIS BDC Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds from UBS - MLPR tracks the Alerian MLP Index (150%) while BDCX tracks the MVIS US Business Development Companies (150%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MLPR returned 24.78%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for BDCX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.
Performance
MLPR vs. BDCX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLPR achieves a 21.25% return, which is significantly higher than BDCX's -14.17% return.
MLPR
- 1D
- -0.79%
- 1M
- -12.39%
- YTD
- 21.25%
- 6M
- 21.60%
- 1Y
- 23.14%
- 3Y*
- 30.20%
- 5Y*
- 24.78%
- 10Y*
- —
BDCX
- 1D
- -1.41%
- 1M
- -1.87%
- YTD
- -14.17%
- 6M
- -13.63%
- 1Y
- -19.48%
- 3Y*
- 3.12%
- 5Y*
- 1.20%
- 10Y*
- —
MLPR vs. BDCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN | 21.25% | 9.83% | 31.57% | 35.87% | 41.04% | 57.33% | -7.10% |
BDCX ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Leveraged MVIS BDC Index ETN | -14.17% | -10.42% | 15.32% | 35.33% | -17.67% | 52.70% | 25.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between MLPR and BDCX is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2020 | 0.49 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MLPR and BDCX has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
MLPR vs. BDCX — Risk / Return Rank
MLPR
BDCX
MLPR vs. BDCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) and ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Leveraged MVIS BDC Index ETN (BDCX). 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.
| MLPR | BDCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 0.90 | +0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.66 | -0.64 | +2.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.86 | -1.09 | +5.95 |
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Drawdowns
MLPR vs. BDCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLPR drawdown since its inception was -48.98%, which is greater than BDCX's maximum drawdown of -34.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPR and BDCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLPR | BDCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.98% | -34.96% | -14.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.97% | -30.46% | +16.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.45% | -33.39% | +8.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.66% | -34.96% | +6.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.19% | -30.24% | +17.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.94% | -10.20% | +1.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.77% | 17.97% | -13.20% |
Volatility
MLPR vs. BDCX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) is 7.59%, while ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Leveraged MVIS BDC Index ETN (BDCX) has a volatility of 8.37%. This indicates that MLPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BDCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLPR | BDCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.59% | 8.37% | -0.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.35% | 23.09% | -7.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.95% | 27.79% | -6.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.38% | 26.58% | +2.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 33.70% | 26.91% | +6.79% |
MLPR vs. BDCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both MLPR and BDCX have an expense ratio of 0.95%.
Dividends
MLPR vs. BDCX - Dividend Comparison
MLPR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.64%, less than BDCX's 20.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BDCX ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5X Leveraged MVIS BDC Index ETN | 20.85% | 19.17% | 15.28% | 14.71% | 17.47% | 11.52% | 6.32% |
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN | 9.64% | 10.85% | 9.57% | 10.08% | 7.49% | 10.69% | 4.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MLPR and BDCX 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.
BDCX has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to MLPR (7.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPR dropped -48.98% vs BDCX's -34.96%.
On 5-year performance, MLPR leads with 24.78% vs 1.20% for BDCX. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, MLPR has been the lower-risk option at 7.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPR has performed better with a 24.78% return vs 1.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MLPR and BDCX have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.
BDCX has the higher dividend yield at 20.85%, compared with 9.64% for MLPR.
MLPR tracks Alerian MLP Index (150%), while BDCX tracks MVIS US Business Development Companies (150%).
MLPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 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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