MLPI vs VTI
NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MLPI or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MLPI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $936M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.92% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 27 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.35% | +14.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.82% | +16.88%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 110.9% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -81.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 16.5 years | $36,763 | $68,708Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | NEOS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 16.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16.5 years).
MLPI vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.5 years both funds cover.
MLPI vs VTI Performance
NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF (MLPI) is an ETF from NEOS and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLPI returned +5.82% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, MLPI is up 4.35% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 110.9% compared with 14.9% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -81.4% for MLPI and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPI charges 0.68% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $3 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPI currently yields 10.92% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
47.8% of MLPI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's money is in holdings MLPI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MLPI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 27 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,143 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MLPI (97.0% of the fund), and 10 for MLPI that do not appear in VTI (29.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MLPI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 9.59% | 0.12% | 9.47% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 6.29% | 0.08% | 6.21% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 6.01% | 0.08% | 5.93% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 5.77% | 0.08% | 5.69% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 5.55% | 0.08% | 5.47% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 3.93% | 0.02% | 3.91% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 3.46% | 0.01% | 3.45% |
| KNTKAltus Midstream Company | 3.06% | 0.00% | 3.06% |
| NEXTNextdecade Corp Common Stock | 2.32% | 0.00% | 2.32% |
| CTRICenturi Holdings, Inc. | 1.80% | 0.00% | 1.80% |
47.8% of MLPI is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MLPI or VTI?
MLPI has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPI or VTI?
Over the past year MLPI returned +5.82% vs +16.88% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), MLPI annualized +8.21% vs +12.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPI or VTI?
MLPI has been the more volatile fund at 110.9% annualized versus 14.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MLPI -81.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MLPI and VTI?
MLPI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MLPI and VTI?
47.8% of MLPI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's is in holdings MLPI also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MLPI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPI or VTI?
MLPI yields 10.92% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MLPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MLPI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.