MLPX vs. XLE

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE).

MLPX and XLE 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. XLE is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Energy Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. Both MLPX and XLE 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. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MLPX vs. XLE - 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%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	37.91%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLPX achieves a 23.52% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 37.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MLPX has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 14.53%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 11.65% 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%

XLE

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 10.27%
• YTD: 37.91%
• 6M: 39.21%
• 1Y: 35.32%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 23.99%
• 10Y*: 11.65%

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

MLPX vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLPX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

MLPX

Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF

XLE

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Return for Risk

MLPX vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MLPX

MLPX Risk / Return Rank: 62
MLPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
MLPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
MLPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
MLPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
MLPX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 73
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 77
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.42	-0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	1.84	-0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.28	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	1.96	-0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.48	5.16	-0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MLPX vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLPX and XLE, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MLPX	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	1.42	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.24	0.93	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.40	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.32	+0.04

Correlation

The correlation between MLPX and XLE is 0.78, 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. XLE - Dividend Comparison

MLPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, more than XLE's 2.44% 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%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.44%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Drawdowns

MLPX vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLPX drawdown since its inception was -70.67%, roughly equal to the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLPX and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLPX	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.67%	-71.26%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.92%	-18.79%	+3.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-26.04%	+6.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.70%	-66.81%	+2.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-2.08%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.81%	-18.05%	+1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.81%	7.14%	-2.33%

Volatility

MLPX vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is 3.63%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 5.05%. This indicates that MLPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLPX	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	5.05%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	13.94%	-3.59%
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%	26.06%	-6.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.59%	29.48%	-2.89%