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MLPX vs. IGF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MLPX vs. IGF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) and IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPX is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MLPX returned 12.72%/yr vs 8.67%/yr for IGF. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MLPX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IGF.

Performance

MLPX vs. IGF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF). 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 25.23% return, which is significantly higher than IGF's 9.68% return. Over the past 10 years, MLPX has outperformed IGF with an annualized return of 12.72%, while IGF has yielded a comparatively lower 8.67% annualized return.

MLPX

1D
0.30%
1M
-1.75%
YTD
25.23%
6M
25.77%
1Y
24.35%
3Y*
28.72%
5Y*
20.50%
10Y*
12.72%

IGF

1D
0.67%
1M
-0.03%
YTD
9.68%
6M
10.24%
1Y
17.04%
3Y*
16.28%
5Y*
10.22%
10Y*
8.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MLPX vs. IGF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		25.23%4.96%42.90%15.77%21.54%39.63%-20.32%19.04%-15.64%-4.53%
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		9.68%21.31%14.81%6.14%-1.26%11.57%-6.50%25.82%-9.95%19.31%

Correlation

The correlation between MLPX and IGF is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 7, 2013

0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between MLPX and IGF has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

MLPX vs. IGF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
MLPX
IGF

Energy

99.6%
19.6%

Utilities

0.3%
39.7%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

40.6%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Technology

-

-

Energy

MLPX
99.6%
IGF
19.6%

Utilities

MLPX
0.3%
IGF
39.7%

Basic Materials

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Communication Services

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Consumer Cyclical

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Consumer Defensive

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Financial Services

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Healthcare

MLPX

-

IGF

-

Industrials

MLPX

-

IGF
40.6%

Real Estate

MLPX

-

IGF
0.1%

Technology

MLPX

-

IGF

-

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 Global Infrastructure ETF

Often compared with MLPX:
MLPX vs. ENFRMLPX vs. XLEMLPX vs. VDEMLPX vs. VOOMLPX vs. UMIMLPX vs. IYEMLPX vs. TPYP
Often compared with IGF:
IGF vs. IFRAIGF vs. GIIIGF vs. NFRAIGF vs. SPYIGF vs. GLIFXIGF vs. VPUIGF vs. XLU

Return for Risk

MLPX vs. IGF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MLPX
MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
IGF
IGF Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MLPX vs. IGF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

MLPXIGFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.65
1.55

+0.10

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
2.22

+0.08

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.27

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.07

2.78

+0.29

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.67

8.03

-0.36

MLPX vs. IGF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the IGF Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPX and IGF, 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. IGF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, which is greater than IGF's maximum drawdown of -58.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and IGF.

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Drawdown Indicators

MLPXIGFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.67%

-58.33%

-12.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.18%

-5.87%

-2.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.77%

-14.28%

-2.49%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.72%

-20.83%

+1.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.70%

-42.11%

-22.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.43%

-2.98%

-1.45%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.60%

-11.86%

-4.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.26%

2.04%

+1.22%

Volatility

MLPX vs. IGF - Volatility Comparison

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) has a higher volatility of 5.77% compared to iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) at 3.85%. This indicates that MLPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MLPXIGFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.77%

3.85%

+1.92%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.69%

8.73%

+2.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.23%

10.58%

+4.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.08%

14.00%

+6.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.48%

16.83%

+9.65%

MLPX vs. IGF - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than IGF's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLPX vs. IGF - Dividend Comparison

MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.10%, more than IGF's 2.94% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		2.94%3.23%3.21%3.36%2.67%2.42%2.33%3.27%3.52%2.95%2.98%3.25%
MLPX
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF		4.10%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 IGF have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MLPX has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to IGF (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPX dropped -70.67% vs IGF's -58.33%.

On 10-year performance, MLPX leads with 12.72% vs 8.67% for IGF. On fees, IGF is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, MLPX has performed better with a 12.72% return vs 8.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IGF is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX has the higher dividend yield at 4.10%, compared with 2.94% for IGF.

MLPX is categorized as MLPs, while IGF is Industrials Equities. MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for MLPX and 0.39% for IGF.

MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.55), 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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