NFRA vs. MLPB
NFRA (FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund) and MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) are both Infrastructure Equities funds - NFRA tracks the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index while MLPB tracks the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFRA returned 6.83%/yr vs 8.89%/yr for MLPB. Their 0.37 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MLPB.
Performance
NFRA vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NFRA achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 26.62% return. Over the past 10 years, NFRA has underperformed MLPB with an annualized return of 6.83%, while MLPB has yielded a comparatively higher 8.89% annualized return.
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%
MLPB
- 1D
- 1.16%
- 1M
- 7.18%
- 6M
- 17.75%
- YTD
- 26.62%
- 1Y
- 25.65%
- 3Y*
- 21.81%
- 5Y*
- 22.18%
- 10Y*
- 8.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.52%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $90.23K | $111.55K | $133.00K | |
| $3.34M | $2.60M | $4.28M |
NFRA vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 26.62% | 7.40% | 25.53% | 22.01% | 30.22% | 39.42% | -30.80% | 5.69% | -8.79% | -9.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between NFRA and MLPB is 0.23, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2015 | 0.37 |
The correlation between NFRA and MLPB shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
NFRA vs. MLPB — Risk / Return Rank
NFRA
MLPB
NFRA vs. MLPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). 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.
| NFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.29 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.94 | 2.56 | -0.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.78 | 6.82 | -1.04 |
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Drawdowns
NFRA vs. MLPB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NFRA drawdown since its inception was -32.49%, smaller than the maximum MLPB drawdown of -71.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFRA and MLPB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.49% | -71.93% | +39.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.28% | -9.28% | +2.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.16% | -16.49% | +7.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.75% | -20.41% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.49% | -71.93% | +39.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.16% | 0.00% | -2.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.50% | -14.67% | +10.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 3.72% | -1.28% |
Volatility
NFRA vs. MLPB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) is 2.42%, while ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) has a volatility of 4.65%. This indicates that NFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NFRA | MLPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.42% | 4.65% | -2.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.44% | 11.14% | -2.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.38% | 14.17% | -3.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.95% | 19.62% | -6.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.87% | 27.20% | -12.33% |
NFRA vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison
NFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
NFRA vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison
NFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.68%, which matches MLPB's 5.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B | 5.70% | 6.51% | 5.95% | 6.37% | 6.00% | 6.98% | 11.93% | 7.98% | 8.11% | 7.23% | 6.85% | 0.00% |
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
NFRA and MLPB have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPB has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to NFRA (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFRA dropped -32.49% vs MLPB's -71.93%.
On 10-year performance, MLPB leads with 8.89% vs 6.83% for NFRA. On fees, NFRA is cheaper at 0.47% 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.
Over the 10-year period, MLPB has performed better with a 8.89% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NFRA is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB has the higher dividend yield at 5.70%, compared with 5.68% for NFRA.
NFRA tracks STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index, while MLPB tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for NFRA and 0.85% for MLPB.
MLPB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 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.
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