RBLD vs. EMLP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) are both Infrastructure Equities funds from First Trust. RBLD is passively managed, while EMLP is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RBLD returned 8.31%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for EMLP. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for EMLP.

Performance

RBLD vs. EMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with RBLD having a 18.14% return and EMLP slightly lower at 17.64%. Over the past 10 years, RBLD has underperformed EMLP with an annualized return of 8.31%, while EMLP has yielded a comparatively higher 10.02% annualized return.

RBLD

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: -0.80%
• 6M: 11.43%
• YTD: 18.14%
• 1Y: 21.43%
• 3Y*: 19.48%
• 5Y*: 11.83%
• 10Y*: 8.31%
• ALL TIME*: 8.71%

EMLP

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 11.82%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 1Y: 18.98%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 16.57%
• 10Y*: 10.02%
• ALL TIME*: 9.66%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	$13.81M	$10.90M	$12.45M
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	$126.51K	$179.17K	$568.85K

RBLD vs. EMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	18.14%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	-9.87%	12.98%	0.51%	12.81%	-21.72%	22.95%
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	17.64%	9.67%	33.39%	8.05%	10.39%	23.20%	-13.36%	23.40%	-8.70%	1.07%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and EMLP is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2012	0.55

The correlation between RBLD and EMLP shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.68 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBLD vs. EMLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	EMLP
Industrials	42.4%	8.6%
Utilities	27.9%	55.2%
Technology	10.9%	-
Energy	8.3%	25.9%
Basic Materials	6.1%	1.7%
Real Estate	4.3%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. EMLP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 65
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 55
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

EMLP

EMLP Risk / Return Rank: 80
EMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
EMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 73
EMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 80

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RBLD vs. EMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP). 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.

	RBLD	EMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.85	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.71	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.31	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	3.86	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	10.89	-1.06

RBLD vs. EMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the EMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and EMLP, 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

RBLD vs. EMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, which is greater than EMLP's maximum drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and EMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	EMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-43.61%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	-4.94%	-2.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-11.47%	-7.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.54%	-14.59%	-7.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	-43.61%	-6.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.03%	-2.03%	-1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.76%	-5.71%	-5.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.75%	+0.43%

Volatility

RBLD vs. EMLP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) has a higher volatility of 3.85% compared to First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) at 3.66%. This indicates that RBLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	EMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	3.66%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.02%	8.47%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.20%	10.35%	+3.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	14.49%	+2.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.51%	17.68%	+0.83%

RBLD vs. EMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than EMLP's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. EMLP - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than EMLP's 2.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	2.77%	3.18%	3.19%	3.92%	3.15%	3.29%	4.70%	3.71%	4.71%	3.80%	3.62%	4.63%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	0.96%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBLD and EMLP in my portfolio?

RBLD and EMLP have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBLD or EMLP?

RBLD has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to EMLP (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs EMLP's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or EMLP?

On 10-year performance, EMLP leads with 10.02% vs 8.31% for RBLD. On fees, RBLD is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, EMLP has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RBLD or EMLP?

Over the 10-year period, EMLP has performed better with a 10.02% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBLD or EMLP?

RBLD is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RBLD or EMLP?

EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.96% for RBLD.

What is the main difference between RBLD and EMLP?

Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.96% for EMLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.52), 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.