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MLPX vs. IFRA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MLPX vs. IFRA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) and IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) are both Infrastructure Equities funds - MLPX tracks the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index while IFRA tracks the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MLPX returned 22.92%/yr vs 13.28%/yr for IFRA. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MLPX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IFRA.

Performance

MLPX vs. IFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLPX achieves a 26.75% return, which is significantly higher than IFRA's 16.00% return.

MLPX

1D
0.31%
1M
2.91%
6M
17.40%
YTD
26.75%
1Y
26.87%
3Y*
26.63%
5Y*
22.92%
10Y*
12.35%
ALL TIME*
9.35%

IFRA

1D
0.00%
1M
-2.67%
6M
8.92%
YTD
16.00%
1Y
23.20%
3Y*
16.79%
5Y*
13.28%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
13.22%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IFRA

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF
$20.72M$20.65M$23.36M

MLPX

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF
$36.85M$35.99M$31.05M

MLPX vs. IFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		26.75%4.96%42.90%15.77%21.54%39.63%-20.32%19.04%-3.26%
IFRA
iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF		16.00%15.90%17.02%13.42%-3.32%29.81%7.37%27.00%-7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between MLPX and IFRA is 0.24, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.24

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.60

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018

0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between MLPX and IFRA has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

MLPX vs. IFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
MLPX
IFRA

Energy

99.6%
7.9%

Utilities

0.4%
37.8%

Industrials

0.3%
36.9%

Basic Materials

-

17.1%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

0.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

0.0%

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Energy

MLPX
99.6%
IFRA
7.9%

Utilities

MLPX
0.4%
IFRA
37.8%

Industrials

MLPX
0.3%
IFRA
36.9%

Basic Materials

MLPX

-

IFRA
17.1%

Communication Services

MLPX

-

IFRA

-

Consumer Cyclical

MLPX

-

IFRA
0.0%

Consumer Defensive

MLPX

-

IFRA
0.0%

Financial Services

MLPX

-

IFRA

-

Healthcare

MLPX

-

IFRA

-

Real Estate

MLPX

-

IFRA

-

Technology

MLPX

-

IFRA

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF

Often compared with MLPX:
MLPX vs. ENFRMLPX vs. XLEMLPX vs. VDEMLPX vs. VOOMLPX vs. MLPIMLPX vs. UMIMLPX vs. TPYP
Often compared with IFRA:
IFRA vs. PAVEIFRA vs. IGFIFRA vs. NFRAIFRA vs. GIIIFRA vs. VOOIFRA vs. FNDAIFRA vs. IYH

Return for Risk

MLPX vs. IFRA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
MLPX
MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
IFRA
IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MLPX vs. IFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA). 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.

MLPXIFRADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.71
1.43

+0.28

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.14

+0.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.24

+0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.27

2.61

+0.66

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.63

8.59

-0.95

MLPX vs. IFRA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the IFRA Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPX and IFRA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

MLPX vs. IFRA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, which is greater than IFRA's maximum drawdown of -41.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and IFRA.

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Drawdown Indicators

MLPXIFRADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.67%

-41.06%

-29.61%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.18%

-8.40%

+0.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.77%

-19.93%

+3.16%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.72%

-19.93%

+0.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.70%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.27%

-5.46%

+2.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.47%

-5.09%

-11.38%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.49%

2.55%

+0.94%

Volatility

MLPX vs. IFRA - Volatility Comparison

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) at 4.01%. This indicates that MLPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFRA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MLPXIFRADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.46%

4.01%

+1.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.52%

12.02%

+0.50%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.68%

15.40%

+0.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.90%

17.87%

+2.03%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.14%

21.29%

+4.85%

MLPX vs. IFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than IFRA's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLPX vs. IFRA - Dividend Comparison

MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.05%, more than IFRA's 1.61% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IFRA
iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF		1.61%1.84%1.75%1.98%1.98%1.63%2.08%1.68%2.50%0.00%0.00%0.00%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		4.05%4.88%4.30%5.22%5.23%5.98%8.32%5.78%5.77%4.36%5.50%4.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

MLPX and IFRA have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MLPX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to IFRA (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPX dropped -70.67% vs IFRA's -41.06%.

On 5-year performance, MLPX leads with 22.92% vs 13.28% for IFRA. On fees, IFRA is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 4.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, MLPX has performed better with a 22.92% return vs 13.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IFRA is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX has the higher dividend yield at 4.05%, compared with 1.61% for IFRA.

MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index (TR). They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for MLPX and 0.30% for IFRA.

MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.43), 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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