VRAI vs. AMLP
VRAI (Virtus Real Asset Income ETF) and AMLP (Alerian MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VRAI is a REIT fund tracking the Indxx Real Asset Income Index, while AMLP is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VRAI returned 5.59%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for AMLP. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VRAI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for AMLP.
Performance
VRAI vs. AMLP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VRAI achieves a 19.54% return, which is significantly higher than AMLP's 12.04% return.
VRAI
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- -1.88%
- YTD
- 19.54%
- 6M
- 20.53%
- 1Y
- 21.27%
- 3Y*
- 12.15%
- 5Y*
- 5.59%
- 10Y*
- —
AMLP
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -7.08%
- YTD
- 12.04%
- 6M
- 12.19%
- 1Y
- 12.67%
- 3Y*
- 19.33%
- 5Y*
- 15.63%
- 10Y*
- 6.33%
VRAI vs. AMLP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRAI Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 19.54% | 6.67% | 2.66% | 6.12% | -9.96% | 24.35% | -5.94% | 6.05% |
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF | 12.04% | 5.78% | 22.76% | 21.40% | 25.47% | 39.09% | -32.26% | -4.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRAI and AMLP is 0.62, 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 | 0.62 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019 | 0.67 |
The correlation between VRAI and AMLP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VRAI vs. AMLP — Risk / Return Rank
VRAI
AMLP
VRAI vs. AMLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Real Asset Income ETF (VRAI) 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.
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.
| VRAI | AMLP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.72 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.19 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.43 | 1.42 | +3.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.70 | 4.32 | +9.39 |
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Drawdowns
VRAI vs. AMLP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRAI drawdown since its inception was -47.51%, smaller than the maximum AMLP drawdown of -77.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRAI and AMLP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VRAI | AMLP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.51% | -77.19% | +29.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.82% | -8.94% | +4.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.89% | -14.27% | -2.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.71% | -20.92% | -5.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -72.62% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.85% | -7.62% | +4.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.04% | -17.36% | +7.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.57% | 2.94% | -1.37% |
Volatility
VRAI vs. AMLP - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus Real Asset Income ETF (VRAI) is 3.23%, while Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that VRAI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VRAI | AMLP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.23% | 4.48% | -1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.36% | 8.85% | -0.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.00% | 11.98% | +0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.61% | 19.75% | -3.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.08% | 27.68% | -5.60% |
VRAI vs. AMLP - Expense Ratio Comparison
VRAI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than AMLP's 0.90% expense ratio.
Dividends
VRAI vs. AMLP - Dividend Comparison
VRAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than AMLP's 7.94% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMLP Alerian MLP ETF | 7.94% | 8.36% | 7.70% | 7.86% | 7.70% | 8.55% | 12.31% | 9.12% | 9.29% | 7.97% | 8.09% | 9.84% |
VRAI Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 2.93% | 4.68% | 7.13% | 5.02% | 4.48% | 3.34% | 3.91% | 2.80% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VRAI and AMLP have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AMLP has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to VRAI (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRAI dropped -47.51% vs AMLP's -77.19%.
On 5-year performance, AMLP leads with 15.63% vs 5.59% for VRAI. On fees, VRAI is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, VRAI has been the lower-risk option at 3.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, AMLP has performed better with a 15.63% return vs 5.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VRAI is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for AMLP.
AMLP has the higher dividend yield at 7.94%, compared with 2.93% for VRAI.
VRAI is categorized as REIT, while AMLP is MLPs. VRAI tracks Indxx Real Asset Income Index, while AMLP tracks Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for VRAI and 0.90% for AMLP.
VRAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.06), 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.
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