MLPX vs VTI
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MLPX or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.03% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 31 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +22.14%Best | +14.05% |
| 1Y Return | +24.09%Best | +16.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.04%Best | +22.65% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.96%Best | +12.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,983Best | $17,988 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 6, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2013 to Sep 22, 2026 (13.1 years).
MLPX 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
MLPX vs VTI Performance
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLPX returned +24.09% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, MLPX is up 22.14% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.
Over three years, MLPX compounded at +25.04% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +21.96% and +12.46% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.51% 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 14.8% 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 -77.5% for MLPX 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPX charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPX currently yields 4.03% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
48.6% of MLPX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's money is in holdings MLPX also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in MLPX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,141 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MLPX (97.0% of the fund), and 13 for MLPX that do not appear in VTI (32.7%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MLPX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 8.61% | 0.12% | 8.49% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 7.60% | 0.08% | 7.52% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 7.27% | 0.08% | 7.19% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 7.11% | 0.08% | 7.03% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 5.43% | 0.08% | 5.35% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 3.78% | 0.02% | 3.76% |
| VGVenture Global Inc | 2.16% | 0.00% | 2.16% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 2.10% | 0.01% | 2.09% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 1.55% | 0.01% | 1.54% |
| KGSKodiak Gas Services Inccommon Stock | 1.49% | 0.01% | 1.48% |
48.6% of MLPX 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, MLPX or VTI?
MLPX has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPX or VTI?
Over the past year MLPX returned +24.09% vs +16.93% for VTI, so MLPX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), MLPX annualized +5.99% vs +12.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPX or VTI?
MLPX has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MLPX -77.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MLPX and VTI?
MLPX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 VTI?
48.6% of MLPX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's is in holdings MLPX also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in MLPX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPX or VTI?
MLPX yields 4.03% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MLPX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MLPX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.