RFFC vs. AMLP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFFC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. RFFC is actively managed, while AMLP is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFFC returned 12.38%/yr vs 16.90%/yr for AMLP. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for AMLP.

Performance

RFFC vs. AMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 10.59% return, which is significantly lower than AMLP's 16.31% return.

RFFC

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 10.59%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 21.20%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: —

AMLP

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 16.31%
• 6M: 14.89%
• 1Y: 17.06%
• 3Y*: 20.15%
• 5Y*: 16.90%
• 10Y*: 6.76%

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

RFFC vs. AMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	10.59%	16.83%	23.51%	19.50%	-14.58%	22.33%	12.48%	24.77%	-10.23%	21.02%
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	16.31%	5.78%	22.76%	21.40%	25.47%	39.09%	-32.26%	5.99%	-12.67%	-7.89%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and AMLP is 0.06, 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	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2016	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between RFFC and AMLP has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RFFC vs. AMLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	AMLP
Technology	29.8%	-
Industrials	13.2%	-
Healthcare	11.8%	-
Financial Services	11.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Communication Services	9.2%	-
Energy	4.4%	97.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	-
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. AMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFFC

RFFC Risk / Return Rank: 71
RFFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
RFFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
RFFC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
RFFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
RFFC Martin Ratio Rank: 75

AMLP

AMLP Risk / Return Rank: 39
AMLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AMLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AMLP Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AMLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AMLP Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

RFFC vs. AMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). 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.

	RFFC	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	1.45	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	2.03	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.25	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	1.92	+1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.17	6.37	+7.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFFC vs. AMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is higher than the AMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and AMLP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFFC	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	1.45	+0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.85	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.22	+0.49

Drawdowns

RFFC vs. AMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, smaller than the maximum AMLP drawdown of -77.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and AMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	AMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-77.19%	+40.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-8.94%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-14.27%	-4.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-20.92%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-72.62%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-4.10%	+3.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-17.40%	+12.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	2.68%	-0.67%

Volatility

RFFC vs. AMLP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is 3.00%, while Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that RFFC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	AMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	4.91%	-1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.32%	8.66%	+0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	11.90%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	19.98%	-3.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	27.68%	-9.71%

RFFC vs. AMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than AMLP's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. AMLP - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.72%, less than AMLP's 7.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF	7.64%	8.36%	7.70%	7.86%	7.70%	8.55%	12.31%	9.12%	9.29%	7.97%	8.09%	9.84%
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	0.72%	0.78%	1.05%	1.35%	1.41%	0.71%	1.79%	1.34%	1.36%	0.93%	0.66%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFC and AMLP in my portfolio?

RFFC and AMLP have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFFC or AMLP?

AMLP has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to RFFC (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs AMLP's -77.19%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or AMLP?

On 5-year performance, AMLP leads with 16.90% vs 12.38% for RFFC. On fees, RFFC is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, RFFC has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or AMLP?

Over the 5-year period, AMLP has performed better with a 16.90% return vs 12.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or AMLP?

RFFC is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFFC or AMLP?

AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.64%, compared with 0.72% for RFFC.

What is the main difference between RFFC and AMLP?

RFFC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AMLP is MLPs. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.90% for AMLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.45), 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.