MLPX vs SPY
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MLPX or SPY?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%.
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 | MLPX | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.03% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 31 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +22.14%Best | +13.81% |
| 1Y Return | +24.09%Best | +16.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.04%Best | +22.84% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.96%Best | +13.50% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.5% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,983Best | $18,836 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 6, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2013 to Sep 22, 2026 (13.1 years).
MLPX vs SPY 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
MLPX vs SPY Performance
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MLPX returned +24.09% while SPY returned +16.94%. Year to date, MLPX is up 22.14% versus a gain of 13.81% for SPY.
Over three years, MLPX compounded at +25.04% per year against +22.84% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +21.96% and +13.50% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.91% annualized vs +5.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% compared with 14.4% for SPY. 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 -77.5% for MLPX and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPX charges 0.45% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $9 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPX currently yields 4.03% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
30.6% of MLPX's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.4% of SPY's money is in holdings MLPX also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
4 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in MLPX and 504 in SPY, against full books of 31 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 493 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MLPX (98.9% of the fund), and 22 for MLPX that do not appear in SPY (50.7%).
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.
30.6% of MLPX is already inside SPY.
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, MLPX or SPY?
MLPX has an expense ratio of 0.45% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPX or SPY?
Over the past year MLPX returned +24.09% vs +16.94% for SPY, so MLPX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), MLPX annualized +5.99% vs +12.91% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPX or SPY?
MLPX has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MLPX -77.5% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both MLPX and SPY?
MLPX and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 MLPX and SPY?
30.6% of MLPX's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.4% of SPY's is in holdings MLPX also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in MLPX and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPX or SPY?
MLPX yields 4.03% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MLPX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MLPX?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.