SLVO vs. MLPB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SLVO (UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN) and MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B) are both exchange-traded funds - SLVO is a Silver fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index, while MLPB is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLVO returned 62.53% vs 20.60% for MLPB. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SLVO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MLPB.

Performance

SLVO vs. MLPB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) and ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLVO achieves a 13.49% return, which is significantly lower than MLPB's 19.72% return.

SLVO

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: 4.05%
• YTD: 13.49%
• 6M: 17.86%
• 1Y: 62.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MLPB

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 19.72%
• 6M: 18.24%
• 1Y: 20.60%
• 3Y*: 22.21%
• 5Y*: 19.42%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

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

SLVO vs. MLPB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SLVO UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN	13.49%	71.20%	1.24%
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	19.72%	7.40%	11.60%

Correlation

The correlation between SLVO and MLPB is -0.05, 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	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.09

The correlation between SLVO and MLPB shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SLVO vs. MLPB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLVO

SLVO Risk / Return Rank: 66
SLVO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SLVO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SLVO Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SLVO Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SLVO Martin Ratio Rank: 77

MLPB

MLPB Risk / Return Rank: 42
MLPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
MLPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
MLPB Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MLPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
MLPB Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

SLVO vs. MLPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) 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.

	SLVO	MLPB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.54	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	2.16	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.26	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	2.14	+1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	6.60	+8.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLVO vs. MLPB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLVO Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the MLPB Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLVO and MLPB, 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

	SLVO	MLPB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.54	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.61	0.24	+1.37

Drawdowns

SLVO vs. MLPB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLVO drawdown since its inception was -17.23%, smaller than the maximum MLPB drawdown of -71.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLVO and MLPB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLVO	MLPB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.23%	-71.93%	+54.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.23%	-9.68%	-7.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.49%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.41%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	-4.69%	+1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-14.83%	+11.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.18%	3.13%	+1.05%

Volatility

SLVO vs. MLPB - Volatility Comparison

UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN (SLVO) has a higher volatility of 6.39% compared to ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) at 5.40%. This indicates that SLVO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MLPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLVO	MLPB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.39%	5.40%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.33%	10.05%	+17.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.53%	13.51%	+16.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.23%	20.03%	+5.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.23%	28.11%	-2.88%

SLVO vs. MLPB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLVO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPB's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLVO vs. MLPB - Dividend Comparison

SLVO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.44%, more than MLPB's 5.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
MLPB ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B	5.85%	6.51%	5.95%	6.37%	6.00%	6.98%	11.93%	7.98%	8.11%	7.23%	6.85%
SLVO UBS ETRACS Silver Shares Covered Call ETN	46.44%	19.35%	14.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLVO and MLPB in my portfolio?

SLVO and MLPB have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLVO or MLPB?

SLVO has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to MLPB (5.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLVO dropped -17.23% vs MLPB's -71.93%.

Which ETF is better, SLVO or MLPB?

On 1-year performance, SLVO leads with 62.53% vs 20.60% for MLPB. On fees, SLVO is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, MLPB has been the lower-risk option at 5.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLVO or MLPB?

Over the 1-year period, SLVO has performed better with a 62.53% return vs 20.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLVO or MLPB?

SLVO is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for MLPB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLVO or MLPB?

SLVO has the higher dividend yield at 46.44%, compared with 5.85% for MLPB.

What is the main difference between SLVO and MLPB?

SLVO is categorized as Silver, while MLPB is MLPs. SLVO tracks Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index, while MLPB tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SLVO and 0.85% for MLPB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLVO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.54), 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.