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MLPX vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MLPX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MLPX is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MLPX returned 12.72%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MLPX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

MLPX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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 QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, MLPX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 12.72%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% 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%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.22%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MLPX vs. QQQ - 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%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MLPX and QQQ is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

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

-0.13

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

0.15

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

0.28

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

0.33

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

0.36

The correlation between MLPX and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MLPX vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
MLPX
QQQ

Energy

99.6%
0.5%

Utilities

0.3%
1.2%

Basic Materials

-

1.0%

Communication Services

-

14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

-

11.4%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.4%

Financial Services

-

0.2%

Healthcare

-

3.7%

Industrials

-

2.6%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Technology

-

58.7%

Energy

MLPX
99.6%
QQQ
0.5%

Utilities

MLPX
0.3%
QQQ
1.2%

Basic Materials

MLPX

-

QQQ
1.0%

Communication Services

MLPX

-

QQQ
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

MLPX

-

QQQ
11.4%

Consumer Defensive

MLPX

-

QQQ
6.4%

Financial Services

MLPX

-

QQQ
0.2%

Healthcare

MLPX

-

QQQ
3.7%

Industrials

MLPX

-

QQQ
2.6%

Real Estate

MLPX

-

QQQ
0.1%

Technology

MLPX

-

QQQ
58.7%

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

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with MLPX:
MLPX vs. ENFRMLPX vs. XLEMLPX vs. VDEMLPX vs. VOOMLPX vs. UMIMLPX vs. IYEMLPX vs. TPYP
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

MLPX vs. QQQ — 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
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

MLPXQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.65
2.09

-0.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
2.73

-0.43

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.37

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.07

3.01

+0.06

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.67

11.22

-3.55

MLPX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPX and QQQ, 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. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

MLPXQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.67%

-82.97%

+12.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.18%

-11.96%

+3.78%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.77%

-22.77%

+6.00%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-19.72%

-35.12%

+15.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.70%

-35.12%

-29.58%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.43%

-3.33%

-1.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.60%

-32.75%

+16.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.26%

3.20%

+0.06%

Volatility

MLPX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is 5.77%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that MLPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MLPXQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.77%

7.56%

-1.79%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.69%

13.81%

-2.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.23%

17.19%

-1.96%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.08%

22.55%

-2.47%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.48%

22.38%

+4.10%

MLPX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

MLPX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.10%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

MLPX and QQQ have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to MLPX (5.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLPX dropped -70.67% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 12.72% for MLPX. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, MLPX has been the lower-risk option at 5.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 12.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for MLPX.

MLPX has the higher dividend yield at 4.10%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

MLPX is categorized as MLPs, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. MLPX tracks Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for MLPX and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.65), 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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