NEA vs. MLPA

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

NEA (Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund) is a stock, while MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) is MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Over the past 10 years, NEA returned 2.99%/yr vs 6.12%/yr for MLPA. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NEA charges 1.41%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for MLPA.

Performance

NEA vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) and Global X MLP ETF (MLPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEA achieves a 3.74% return, which is significantly lower than MLPA's 18.84% return. Over the past 10 years, NEA has underperformed MLPA with an annualized return of 2.99%, while MLPA has yielded a comparatively higher 6.12% annualized return.

NEA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.76%
• 6M: 2.00%
• YTD: 3.74%
• 1Y: 14.95%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: -0.32%
• 10Y*: 2.99%

MLPA

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: 5.69%
• 6M: 13.90%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 17.70%
• 10Y*: 6.12%

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

NEA vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEA Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund	3.74%	11.31%	9.50%	0.75%	-23.32%	8.16%	10.07%	22.42%	-5.72%	8.77%
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	18.84%	5.73%	20.35%	15.93%	27.03%	39.64%	-33.97%	11.91%	-15.71%	-8.31%

Correlation

The correlation between NEA and MLPA is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2012	0.09

The correlation between NEA and MLPA shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.13 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NEA vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEA

NEA Risk / Return Rank: 82
NEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
NEA Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
NEA Martin Ratio Rank: 88

MLPA

MLPA Risk / Return Rank: 54
MLPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
MLPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
MLPA Omega Ratio Rank: 52
MLPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
MLPA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

NEA vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) and Global X MLP ETF (MLPA). 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.

	NEA	MLPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.57	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.23	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.27	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.36	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.47	6.17	+2.30

NEA vs. MLPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the MLPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEA and MLPA, 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

NEA vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEA drawdown since its inception was -43.83%, smaller than the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEA and MLPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEA	MLPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.83%	-78.75%	+34.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.27%	-8.33%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.16%	-14.20%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.57%	-18.75%	-17.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.57%	-74.05%	+37.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.54%	-1.55%	-1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.99%	-20.14%	+12.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	3.18%	-1.40%

Volatility

NEA vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) is 1.86%, while Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) has a volatility of 5.09%. This indicates that NEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEA	MLPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.86%	5.09%	-3.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.67%	9.52%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.79%	12.54%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.51%	17.99%	-6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.80%	27.40%	-15.60%

NEA vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEA has a 1.41% expense ratio, which is higher than MLPA's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEA vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison

NEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.09%, which matches MLPA's 7.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MLPA Global X MLP ETF	7.11%	7.82%	7.25%	7.49%	7.30%	8.72%	13.84%	9.09%	10.00%	8.05%	7.15%	9.29%
NEA Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund	7.09%	7.36%	6.63%	3.95%	5.49%	4.50%	4.45%	4.46%	5.40%	5.33%	5.70%	5.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEA and MLPA in my portfolio?

NEA and MLPA have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEA or MLPA?

MLPA has higher volatility (5.09%) compared to NEA (1.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEA dropped -43.83% vs MLPA's -78.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.39), 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.