MLPX vs. VDE
Compare and contrast key facts about Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE).
MLPX and VDE are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MLPX is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Aug 7, 2013. VDE is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. It was launched on Sep 23, 2004. Both MLPX and VDE 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
MLPX vs. VDE - Performance Comparison
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MLPX vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 23.52% | 4.96% | 42.90% | 15.77% | 21.54% | 39.63% | -20.32% | 19.04% | -15.64% | -4.53% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 38.21% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | -33.02% | 9.28% | -19.95% | -2.50% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MLPX achieves a 23.52% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 38.21% return. Over the past 10 years, MLPX has outperformed VDE with an annualized return of 14.53%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.
MLPX
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- 3.80%
- YTD
- 23.52%
- 6M
- 20.89%
- 1Y
- 21.69%
- 3Y*
- 29.25%
- 5Y*
- 24.62%
- 10Y*
- 14.53%
VDE
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- 10.44%
- YTD
- 38.21%
- 6M
- 39.44%
- 1Y
- 37.45%
- 3Y*
- 18.47%
- 5Y*
- 24.23%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
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MLPX vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison
MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.10% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
MLPX vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank
MLPX
VDE
MLPX vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). 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.
| MLPX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.15 | 1.51 | -0.36 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.51 | 1.93 | -0.42 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.29 | -0.06 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.44 | 2.05 | -0.61 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.48 | 5.89 | -1.41 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MLPX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.15 | 1.51 | -0.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.24 | 0.92 | +0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | 0.38 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.36 | 0.29 | +0.07 |
Correlation
The correlation between MLPX and VDE is 0.80, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
MLPX vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison
MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, more than VDE's 2.27% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPX Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF | 4.06% | 4.88% | 4.30% | 5.22% | 5.23% | 5.98% | 8.32% | 5.78% | 5.77% | 4.36% | 5.50% | 4.81% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.27% | 3.11% | 3.23% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 4.13% | 4.76% | 3.42% | 3.35% | 2.90% | 2.31% | 3.17% |
Drawdowns
MLPX vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, roughly equal to the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and VDE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MLPX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.67% | -74.20% | +3.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.92% | -18.91% | +3.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.72% | -26.58% | +6.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.70% | -69.29% | +4.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.01% | -2.21% | +0.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.81% | -20.07% | +3.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.81% | 6.60% | -1.79% |
Volatility
MLPX vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is 3.63%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 4.96%. This indicates that MLPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MLPX | VDE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.63% | 4.96% | -1.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.35% | 13.82% | -3.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.88% | 24.93% | -6.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.00% | 26.51% | -6.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.59% | 29.86% | -3.27% |