Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) Performance
MLPA total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +19.3% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +22.0% total return
- 5 years
- +15.8% a year
- 10 years
- +6.2% a year
- Since first price
- +4.4% a year since 2012
MLPA trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | MLPA total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.8% | −0.8% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.4% | −3.2% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +5.8% | +1.9% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +19.3% | +12.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +22.0% | +12.9% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +52.9%+15.2%/yr | +21.7% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +107.8%+15.8%/yr | +42.2% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +82.3%+6.2%/yr | −21.1% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| Since inceptionApr 19, 2012 | +86.0%+4.4%/yr | −39.7% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: MLPA vs SPY
From Apr 19, 2012: MLPA grew to $18,598, SPY to $70,893.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
MLPA returns by calendar year
9 of 13 full years positive. Best 2021 (+39.6%), worst 2020 (−34.0%). 2026 is year to date.
MLPA annual returns table
| Year | MLPA | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +19.3% | −7.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +5.7% | −14.2% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +20.3% | −8.7% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +15.9% | −7.4% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | +27.0% | −18.8% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +39.6% | −18.6% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | −34.0% | −69.9% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +11.9% | −17.7% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −15.7% | −26.5% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | −8.3% | −20.7% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +20.6% | −29.7% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −30.1% | −41.7% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +4.2% | −12.6% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +17.9% | −5.3% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
MLPA largest drawdowns
Now 5.5% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2014 | −78.8% | Mar 18, 2020 | Mar 6, 2024 | 5.6 years | 9.5 years |
| Apr 2, 2025 | −14.2% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jan 27, 2026 | 6 days | 10 months |
| May 2, 2012 | −10.4% | Jun 4, 2012 | Aug 3, 2012 | 33 days | 3 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
MLPA risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +14.5% | +17.1% | +5.9% | +4.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 17.0% | 29.6% | 26.3% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.70 | 0.81 | 0.27 | 0.23 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.22 | 1.36 | 0.41 | 0.34 |
| Best month | +13.0% | +13.0% | +49.9% | +49.9% |
| Worst month | −7.5% | −13.0% | −48.0% | −48.0% |
| Best 12 months | +24.1% | +38.0% | +99.9% | +99.9% |
| Worst 12 months | +0.7% | +0.7% | −61.2% | −61.2% |
| Positive months | 64% | 65% | 57% | 58% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.39 | 0.49 | 1.16 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.33 | 0.45 | 0.60 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
MLPA rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 163 | −61.2% | +9.8% | +99.9% | 67% |
| 3-year (a year) | 139 | −29.7% | −0.9% | +43.1% | 49% |
| 5-year (a year) | 115 | −21.0% | −0.8% | +34.3% | 49% |
| 10-year (a year) | 55 | −0.7% | +0.9% | +8.6% | 87% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2012. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
MLPA performance overview
Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) returned +22.0% over the past year and +6.2% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2012 it has returned +4.4% a year, turning $10,000 into about $18,598. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −78.8%, from Aug 29, 2014 to Mar 18, 2020, and it took 4.0 years to get back to the old high. MLPA finished 9 of its 13 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2021 (+39.6%) and the worst 2020 (−34.0%). Volatility has been 26.3% a year.
Related: MLPA chart, MLPA holdings, MLPA dividends, MLPA valuation. See the MLPA overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
MLPA performance FAQ
What is the MLPA return over the past year?
MLPA returned +22.0% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 12.9%.
What is the average annual return of MLPA?
MLPA has returned +15.8% a year over 5 years, +6.2% a year over 10 years, +4.4% a year since April 19, 2012 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in MLPA be worth?
$10,000 invested in MLPA at its first recorded close on April 19, 2012 would be worth about $18,598 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for MLPA?
The worst calendar year was 2020, with a total return of −34.0%. The best was 2021 at +39.6%.
What is the biggest drawdown of MLPA?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −78.8% between August 29, 2014 and March 18, 2020. It recovered to the old high on March 6, 2024, 4.0 years after the bottom.
How volatile is MLPA?
Over the past 3 years MLPA had an annualized volatility of 14.6% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.70 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).