VXX vs. ATMP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and ATMP (Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while ATMP is a MLPs fund tracking the CIBC Atlas Select MLP VWAP. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXX returned -46.78%/yr vs 4.90%/yr for ATMP. At a correlation of -0.42, they often move in opposite directions. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for ATMP.

Performance

VXX vs. ATMP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN (ATMP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -8.16% return, which is significantly lower than ATMP's 20.02% return. Over the past 10 years, VXX has underperformed ATMP with an annualized return of -46.78%, while ATMP has yielded a comparatively higher 4.90% annualized return.

VXX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -15.21%
• YTD: -8.16%
• 6M: -22.63%
• 1Y: -53.35%
• 3Y*: -42.02%
• 5Y*: -46.10%
• 10Y*: -46.78%

ATMP

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -2.32%
• YTD: 20.02%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 18.01%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 15.87%
• 10Y*: 4.90%

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

VXX vs. ATMP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN	-8.16%	-42.21%	-26.22%	-72.52%	-23.80%	-72.41%	11.04%	-67.75%	67.91%	-72.64%
ATMP Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN	20.02%	1.73%	31.66%	14.51%	20.71%	33.06%	-34.39%	0.39%	-14.55%	-11.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VXX and ATMP is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2013	-0.42

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between VXX and ATMP has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.42 to -0.03, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

Return for Risk

VXX vs. ATMP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXX

VXX Risk / Return Rank: 1
VXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VXX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

ATMP

ATMP Risk / Return Rank: 39
ATMP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ATMP Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
ATMP Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ATMP Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
ATMP Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

VXX vs. ATMP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN (ATMP). 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.

	VXX	ATMP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	1.31	-2.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.56	1.87	-3.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.23	-0.40
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	2.51	-3.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.34	6.16	-7.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXX vs. ATMP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXX Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the ATMP Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXX and ATMP, 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

	VXX	ATMP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.96	1.31	-2.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.68	0.72	-1.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.66	0.18	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.77	0.09	-0.86

Drawdowns

VXX vs. ATMP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than ATMP's maximum drawdown of -80.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and ATMP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXX	ATMP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-80.86%	-19.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.23%	-7.26%	-48.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-80.28%	-16.48%	-63.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-95.68%	-22.98%	-72.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.86%	-75.66%	-24.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-6.07%	-93.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-95.08%	-31.15%	-63.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	39.88%	2.95%	+36.93%

Volatility

VXX vs. ATMP - Volatility Comparison

iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a higher volatility of 8.29% compared to Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN (ATMP) at 5.61%. This indicates that VXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ATMP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXX	ATMP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.29%	5.61%	+2.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.88%	10.72%	+30.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.57%	14.00%	+41.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.96%	22.23%	+45.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.96%	27.68%	+43.28%

VXX vs. ATMP - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than ATMP's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VXX vs. ATMP - Dividend Comparison

Neither VXX nor ATMP has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VXX and ATMP in my portfolio?

VXX and ATMP have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXX or ATMP?

VXX has higher volatility (8.29%) compared to ATMP (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs ATMP's -80.86%.

Which ETF is better, VXX or ATMP?

On 10-year performance, ATMP leads with 4.90% vs -46.78% for VXX. On fees, VXX is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, ATMP has been the lower-risk option at 5.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXX or ATMP?

Over the 10-year period, ATMP has performed better with a 4.90% return vs -46.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXX or ATMP?

VXX is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ATMP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VXX or ATMP?

VXX and ATMP have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between VXX and ATMP?

VXX is categorized as Volatility, while ATMP is MLPs. VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while ATMP tracks CIBC Atlas Select MLP VWAP. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 0.95% for ATMP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ATMP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs -0.96), 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.