VENAX vs. MLPOX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VENAX (Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares) and MLPOX (Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VENAX returned 10.01%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for MLPOX. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VENAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for MLPOX.

Performance

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) and Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund (MLPOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VENAX achieves a 33.62% return, which is significantly higher than MLPOX's 21.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VENAX has outperformed MLPOX with an annualized return of 10.01%, while MLPOX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.35% annualized return.

VENAX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 10.41%
• 6M: 17.04%
• YTD: 33.62%
• 1Y: 42.35%
• 3Y*: 14.21%
• 5Y*: 23.30%
• 10Y*: 10.01%
• ALL TIME*: 8.26%

MLPOX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 3.43%
• 6M: 14.95%
• YTD: 21.85%
• 1Y: 23.45%
• 3Y*: 23.81%
• 5Y*: 23.74%
• 10Y*: 9.35%
• ALL TIME*: 7.62%

*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)
MLPOX Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	33.62%	7.29%	6.57%	0.05%	62.94%	55.57%	-33.27%	9.36%	-19.90%	-2.39%
MLPOX Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund	21.85%	4.47%	40.63%	20.44%	29.45%	39.81%	-30.40%	6.71%	-14.77%	-6.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VENAX and MLPOX is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2010	0.71

The correlation between VENAX and MLPOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VENAX vs. MLPOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VENAX

VENAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VENAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VENAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VENAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VENAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VENAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

MLPOX

MLPOX Risk / Return Rank: 81
MLPOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
MLPOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
MLPOX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MLPOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
MLPOX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) and Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund (MLPOX). 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.

	VENAX	MLPOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.97	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.73	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	3.90	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.99	9.38	-2.39

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VENAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the MLPOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VENAX and MLPOX, 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

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VENAX drawdown since its inception was -74.42%, roughly equal to the maximum MLPOX drawdown of -76.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VENAX and MLPOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VENAX	MLPOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.42%	-76.99%	+2.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.05%	-5.93%	-9.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-15.18%	-6.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.59%	-21.17%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.58%	-72.41%	+2.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.47%	-1.47%	-4.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.91%	-16.29%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.60%	2.46%	+3.14%

Volatility

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares (VENAX) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund (MLPOX) at 3.90%. This indicates that VENAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MLPOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VENAX	MLPOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	3.90%	+2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.67%	9.22%	+7.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.99%	11.73%	+9.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.17%	19.05%	+7.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.22%	25.96%	+4.26%

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VENAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPOX's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

VENAX vs. MLPOX - Dividend Comparison

VENAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, less than MLPOX's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MLPOX Invesco SteelPath MLP Alpha Fund	4.75%	5.31%	4.26%	5.55%	6.19%	7.52%	13.39%	10.42%	10.08%	8.00%	7.18%	7.85%
VENAX Vanguard Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.42%	3.10%	3.24%	3.34%	3.65%	3.80%	4.76%	3.41%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VENAX and MLPOX in my portfolio?

VENAX and MLPOX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VENAX or MLPOX?

VENAX has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to MLPOX (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VENAX dropped -74.42% vs MLPOX's -76.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLPOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.87), 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.