TPYP vs. AMLP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TPYP (Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund) and AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TPYP is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Tortoise North American Pipeline Index, while AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TPYP returned 11.93%/yr vs 6.76%/yr for AMLP. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TPYP charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for AMLP.

Performance

TPYP vs. AMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP) 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, TPYP achieves a 20.07% return, which is significantly higher than AMLP's 16.31% return. Over the past 10 years, TPYP has outperformed AMLP with an annualized return of 11.93%, while AMLP has yielded a comparatively lower 6.76% annualized return.

TPYP

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -2.82%
• YTD: 20.07%
• 6M: 19.62%
• 1Y: 21.07%
• 3Y*: 25.01%
• 5Y*: 17.73%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

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)

TPYP vs. AMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TPYP Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund	20.07%	7.59%	37.37%	10.51%	16.09%	34.97%	-20.99%	23.35%	-11.13%	2.27%
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 TPYP and AMLP is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2015	0.80

The correlation between TPYP and AMLP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

TPYP vs. AMLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TPYP	AMLP
Energy	68.8%	97.7%
Utilities	22.0%	2.3%
Financial Services	2.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

TPYP vs. AMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

TPYP

TPYP Risk / Return Rank: 49
TPYP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
TPYP Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
TPYP Omega Ratio Rank: 42
TPYP Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
TPYP Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

TPYP vs. AMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP) 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.

	TPYP	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.45	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.03	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	1.92	+1.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.34	6.37	+1.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TPYP vs. AMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TPYP Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the AMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TPYP 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

	TPYP	AMLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	1.45	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	0.85	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.24	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.22	+0.20

Drawdowns

TPYP vs. AMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TPYP drawdown since its inception was -51.91%, smaller than the maximum AMLP drawdown of -77.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TPYP and AMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	TPYP	AMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.91%	-77.19%	+25.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.84%	-8.94%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.17%	-14.27%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.96%	-20.92%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.91%	-72.62%	+20.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.27%	-4.10%	-1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.89%	-17.40%	+9.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.68%	-0.12%

Volatility

TPYP vs. AMLP - Volatility Comparison

Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP) has a higher volatility of 5.67% compared to Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) at 4.91%. This indicates that TPYP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TPYP	AMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	4.91%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	8.66%	+1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	11.90%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	19.98%	-2.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	27.68%	-5.74%

TPYP vs. AMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

TPYP has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than AMLP's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

TPYP vs. AMLP - Dividend Comparison

TPYP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, 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%
TPYP Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund	3.25%	3.91%	3.95%	4.83%	4.48%	4.86%	6.14%	4.45%	4.58%	3.71%	3.49%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TPYP and AMLP in my portfolio?

TPYP and AMLP have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TPYP or AMLP?

TPYP has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to AMLP (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TPYP dropped -51.91% vs AMLP's -77.19%.

Which ETF is better, TPYP or AMLP?

On 10-year performance, TPYP leads with 11.93% vs 6.76% for AMLP. On fees, TPYP is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, AMLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TPYP or AMLP?

Over the 10-year period, TPYP has performed better with a 11.93% return vs 6.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TPYP or AMLP?

TPYP is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.

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

AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.64%, compared with 3.25% for TPYP.

What is the main difference between TPYP and AMLP?

TPYP is categorized as Energy Equities, while AMLP is MLPs. TPYP tracks Tortoise North American Pipeline Index, while AMLP tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Tortoise and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for TPYP and 0.90% for AMLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPYP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 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.