MLPX vs. NFRA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) and NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) are both Infrastructure Equities funds - MLPX tracks the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index while NFRA tracks the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MLPX returned 12.35%/yr vs 6.83%/yr for NFRA. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MLPX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for NFRA.

Performance

MLPX vs. NFRA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLPX achieves a 26.75% return, which is significantly higher than NFRA's 8.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MLPX has outperformed NFRA with an annualized return of 12.35%, while NFRA has yielded a comparatively lower 6.83% annualized 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%

NFRA

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.08%
• 6M: 5.98%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 1Y: 13.70%
• 3Y*: 11.88%
• 5Y*: 5.93%
• 10Y*: 6.83%
• ALL TIME*: 6.90%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF	$36.85M	$35.99M	$31.05M
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	$3.34M	$2.60M	$4.28M

MLPX vs. NFRA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF	26.75%	4.96%	42.90%	15.77%	21.54%	39.63%	-20.32%	19.04%	-15.64%	-4.53%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	8.91%	18.42%	4.76%	8.96%	-10.11%	9.61%	2.24%	26.27%	-7.74%	15.92%

Correlation

The correlation between MLPX and NFRA is 0.29, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2013	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between MLPX and NFRA has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

MLPX vs. NFRA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MLPX	NFRA
Energy	99.6%	9.1%
Utilities	0.4%	24.5%
Industrials	0.3%	33.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	22.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	4.5%
Real Estate	-	4.7%
Technology	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

MLPX vs. NFRA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MLPX

MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 74
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

NFRA

NFRA Risk / Return Rank: 55
NFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
NFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
NFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 56
NFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
NFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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. NFRA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA). 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.

	MLPX	NFRA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.36	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	1.97	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	1.94	+1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.63	5.78	+1.85

MLPX vs. NFRA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the NFRA Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPX and NFRA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MLPX vs. NFRA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, which is greater than NFRA's maximum drawdown of -32.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and NFRA.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLPX	NFRA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.67%	-32.49%	-38.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.18%	-7.28%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.77%	-9.16%	-7.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-22.75%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.70%	-32.49%	-32.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.27%	-2.16%	-1.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.47%	-4.50%	-11.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	2.44%	+1.05%

Volatility

MLPX vs. NFRA - Volatility Comparison

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) at 2.42%. This indicates that MLPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFRA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLPX	NFRA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	2.42%	+3.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.52%	8.44%	+4.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.68%	10.38%	+5.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	12.95%	+6.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.14%	14.87%	+11.27%

MLPX vs. NFRA - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than NFRA's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLPX vs. NFRA - Dividend Comparison

MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.05%, less than NFRA's 5.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.68%	6.00%	3.33%	2.57%	2.28%	2.71%	2.22%	2.27%	3.06%	2.81%	2.98%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MLPX and NFRA in my portfolio?

MLPX and NFRA have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLPX or NFRA?

MLPX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to NFRA (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPX dropped -70.67% vs NFRA's -32.49%.

Which ETF is better, MLPX or NFRA?

On 10-year performance, MLPX leads with 12.35% vs 6.83% for NFRA. On fees, MLPX is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, NFRA has been the lower-risk option at 2.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MLPX or NFRA?

Over the 10-year period, MLPX has performed better with a 12.35% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MLPX or NFRA?

MLPX is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for NFRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MLPX or NFRA?

NFRA has the higher dividend yield at 5.68%, compared with 4.05% for MLPX.

What is the main difference between MLPX and NFRA?

MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while NFRA tracks STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for MLPX and 0.47% for NFRA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.36), 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.