UPGR vs. EMLP

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

UPGR (Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF) and EMLP (First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund) are both Infrastructure Equities funds. UPGR is passively managed, while EMLP is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, UPGR returned 2.07%/yr vs 21.10%/yr for EMLP. Their 0.35 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. UPGR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for EMLP.

Performance

UPGR vs. EMLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPGR achieves a 2.89% return, which is significantly lower than EMLP's 17.64% return.

UPGR

• 1D: 2.39%
• 1M: -7.60%
• 6M: -6.42%
• YTD: 2.89%
• 1Y: 31.84%
• 3Y*: 2.07%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.18%

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
UPGR Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF	$5.80K	$13.09K	$34.38K

UPGR vs. EMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
UPGR Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF	2.89%	35.25%	-14.72%	-15.29%
EMLP First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund	17.64%	9.67%	33.39%	2.33%

Correlation

The correlation between UPGR and EMLP is 0.12, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2023	0.35

Over the past year, the correlation between UPGR and EMLP has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.35, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

UPGR vs. EMLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UPGR	EMLP
Industrials	54.6%	8.6%
Basic Materials	11.8%	1.7%
Technology	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Utilities	8.7%	55.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	-
Energy	1.6%	25.9%
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

UPGR vs. EMLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPGR

UPGR Risk / Return Rank: 37
UPGR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
UPGR Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
UPGR Omega Ratio Rank: 35
UPGR Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
UPGR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

UPGR vs. EMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) 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.

	UPGR	EMLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.85	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	2.71	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.31	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	3.86	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.72	10.89	-7.17

UPGR vs. EMLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPGR Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the EMLP Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPGR 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

UPGR vs. EMLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPGR drawdown since its inception was -46.60%, which is greater than EMLP's maximum drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPGR and EMLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPGR	EMLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.60%	-43.61%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.71%	-4.94%	-17.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.58%	-11.47%	-31.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.59%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.86%	-2.03%	-15.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.11%	-5.71%	-14.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.58%	1.75%	+6.83%

Volatility

UPGR vs. EMLP - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) has a higher volatility of 10.96% compared to First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) at 3.66%. This indicates that UPGR'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

	UPGR	EMLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.96%	3.66%	+7.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.21%	8.47%	+15.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.99%	10.35%	+22.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.09%	14.49%	+16.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.09%	17.68%	+13.41%

UPGR vs. EMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPGR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than EMLP's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPGR vs. EMLP - Dividend Comparison

UPGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, 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%
UPGR Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF	0.31%	0.39%	1.16%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPGR and EMLP in my portfolio?

UPGR and EMLP have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPGR or EMLP?

UPGR has higher volatility (10.96%) compared to EMLP (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPGR dropped -46.60% vs EMLP's -43.61%.

Which ETF is better, UPGR or EMLP?

On 3-year performance, EMLP leads with 21.10% vs 2.07% for UPGR. On fees, UPGR is cheaper at 0.35% 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, UPGR or EMLP?

Over the 3-year period, EMLP has performed better with a 21.10% return vs 2.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPGR or EMLP?

UPGR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for EMLP.

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

EMLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 0.31% for UPGR.

What is the main difference between UPGR and EMLP?

They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for UPGR and 0.96% for EMLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMLP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.97), 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.