VBIL vs. MLPR

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) and MLPR (ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - VBIL is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index, while MLPR is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Alerian MLP Index (150%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VBIL returned 3.91% vs 24.11% for MLPR. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. VBIL charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for MLPR.

Performance

VBIL vs. MLPR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) and ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIL achieves a 1.63% return, which is significantly lower than MLPR's 22.32% return.

VBIL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MLPR

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: -10.50%
• YTD: 22.32%
• 6M: 23.67%
• 1Y: 24.11%
• 3Y*: 28.71%
• 5Y*: 24.73%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBIL vs. MLPR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	1.63%	3.73%
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	22.32%	-5.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VBIL and MLPR is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	-0.04

Return for Risk

VBIL vs. MLPR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIL

VBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
VBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

MLPR

MLPR Risk / Return Rank: 33
MLPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
MLPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
MLPR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
MLPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MLPR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

VBIL vs. MLPR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) and ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR). 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.

	VBIL	MLPR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	15.02	1.16	+13.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	38.91	1.62	+37.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	20.99	1.21	+19.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	42.39	1.73	+40.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	529.70	5.31	+524.39

VBIL vs. MLPR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIL Sharpe Ratio is 15.02, which is higher than the MLPR Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIL and MLPR, 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

VBIL vs. MLPR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIL drawdown since its inception was -0.09%, smaller than the maximum MLPR drawdown of -48.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIL and MLPR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBIL	MLPR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.09%	-48.98%	+48.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.09%	-13.97%	+13.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-12.43%	+12.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-8.93%	+8.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	4.55%	-4.54%

Volatility

VBIL vs. MLPR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) is 0.05%, while ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN (MLPR) has a volatility of 7.70%. This indicates that VBIL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBIL	MLPR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.05%	7.70%	-7.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.16%	15.47%	-15.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26%	20.86%	-20.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.30%	29.56%	-29.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.30%	33.72%	-33.42%

VBIL vs. MLPR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIL has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBIL vs. MLPR - Dividend Comparison

VBIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than MLPR's 9.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MLPR ETRACS Quarterly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Alerian MLP Index ETN	9.56%	10.85%	9.57%	10.08%	7.49%	10.69%	4.21%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	3.65%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBIL and MLPR in my portfolio?

VBIL and MLPR 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, VBIL or MLPR?

MLPR has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to VBIL (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIL dropped -0.09% vs MLPR's -48.98%.

Which ETF is better, VBIL or MLPR?

On 1-year performance, MLPR leads with 24.11% vs 3.91% for VBIL. On fees, VBIL is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBIL or MLPR?

Over the 1-year period, MLPR has performed better with a 24.11% return vs 3.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBIL or MLPR?

VBIL is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for MLPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBIL or MLPR?

MLPR has the higher dividend yield at 9.56%, compared with 3.65% for VBIL.

What is the main difference between VBIL and MLPR?

VBIL is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while MLPR is Leveraged Equities. VBIL tracks Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index, while MLPR tracks Alerian MLP Index (150%). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VBIL and 0.95% for MLPR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (15.02 vs 1.16), 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.