MLPR vs. SMHB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) and ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB).

MLPR and SMHB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MLPR is a passively managed fund by UBS that tracks the performance of the Alerian MLP Index (150%). It was launched on Jun 2, 2020. SMHB is a passively managed fund by UBS that tracks the performance of the Solactive US Small Cap High Dividend Index (200%). It was launched on Nov 8, 2018. Both MLPR and SMHB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

MLPR vs. SMHB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) and ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MLPR vs. SMHB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	24.29%	9.83%	31.57%	35.87%	41.04%	57.33%	-9.51%
SMHB ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B	-2.38%	-7.75%	-15.85%	35.96%	-36.03%	68.86%	59.32%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLPR achieves a 24.29% return, which is significantly higher than SMHB's -2.38% return.

MLPR

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 1.32%
• YTD: 24.29%
• 6M: 30.59%
• 1Y: 15.78%
• 3Y*: 32.28%
• 5Y*: 32.14%
• 10Y*: —

SMHB

• 1D: 2.54%
• 1M: -7.17%
• YTD: -2.38%
• 6M: -10.57%
• 1Y: -6.07%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: -5.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

MLPR vs. SMHB - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHB's 0.85% expense ratio.

MLPR

ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN

SMHB

ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B

Return for Risk

MLPR vs. SMHB — Risk / Return Rank

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

MLPR

MLPR Risk / Return Rank: 30
MLPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
MLPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
MLPR Omega Ratio Rank: 34
MLPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
MLPR Martin Ratio Rank: 23

SMHB

SMHB Risk / Return Rank: 10
SMHB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
SMHB Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SMHB Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SMHB Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
SMHB Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

MLPR vs. SMHB - 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 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB). 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.

	MLPR	SMHB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	-0.12	+0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	0.18	+0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.02	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.62	-0.23	+0.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.44	-0.61	+2.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLPR vs. SMHB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPR Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is higher than the SMHB Sharpe Ratio of -0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPR and SMHB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MLPR	SMHB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	-0.12	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	-0.11	+1.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	-0.12	+1.05

Correlation

The correlation between MLPR and SMHB is 0.52, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MLPR vs. SMHB - Dividend Comparison

MLPR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.14%, less than SMHB's 22.87% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	9.14%	10.85%	9.57%	10.08%	7.49%	10.69%	4.21%	0.00%	0.00%
SMHB ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B	22.87%	22.22%	21.95%	15.27%	24.18%	12.22%	16.86%	19.97%	0.91%

Drawdowns

MLPR vs. SMHB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPR drawdown since its inception was -48.98%, smaller than the maximum SMHB drawdown of -90.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPR and SMHB.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLPR	SMHB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.98%	-90.30%	+41.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.45%	-29.54%	+5.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.66%	-58.85%	+30.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.17%	-46.27%	+42.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.09%	-37.10%	+28.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.53%	11.19%	-0.66%

Volatility

MLPR vs. SMHB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) is 4.93%, while ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB) has a volatility of 14.24%. This indicates that MLPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMHB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLPR	SMHB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	14.24%	-9.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	29.84%	-15.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.04%	50.14%	-22.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.60%	49.02%	-19.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.01%	66.99%	-32.98%