AMLP vs MLPA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, AMLP yields more: 8.01% (dividend yield) against 7.70% for MLPA. MLPA is cheaper to own at 0.77% a year vs 1.01%. Over the same 14 years (Apr 2012 to Oct 2026), AMLP returned 5.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and MLPA 4.5%.
| Compared | AMLP | MLPA |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 8.01% | 7.70% |
| Expense ratio | 1.01% | 0.77% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +25.5% | +25.6% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +17.9% | +16.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +18.1% | +17.1% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +7.4% | +6.8% |
| Worst drop since Apr 2012 | -72.2% | -72.4% |
| Share price since Apr 2012 | −36% | −39% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | ALPS | Global X |
| Assets | $13.0B | $2.4B |
| Started | 2010 | 2012 |
| Type | Energy Limited Partnership | Energy Limited Partnership |
Higher yield
AMLP
8.01%
Lower cost
MLPA
0.77%
Better total return
AMLP
5.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
AMLP
-72.2%
Key facts: AMLP vs MLPA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, AMLP yields 8.01% (dividend yield) and MLPA yields 7.70% (dividend yield).
- AMLP's expense ratio is 1.01% and MLPA's is 0.77%: $101 vs $77 a year on $10,000.
- From Apr 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in AMLP grew to $20,400 (5.0% a year) and $10,000 in MLPA to $18,808 (4.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -72.2% for AMLP and -72.4% for MLPA.
- 9 of AMLP's top ten holdings are also in MLPA's top ten, an overlap of at least 82% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AMLP vs MLPA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/amlp-vs-mlpa
$10,000 in each, Apr 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
AMLP became
$20,400
5.0% a year
MLPA became
$18,808
4.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | AMLP | MLPA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.8% | +5.8% |
| 2024 | +22.8% | +20.4% |
| 2023 | +21.4% | +15.9% |
| 2022 | +25.5% | +27.1% |
| 2021 | +39.1% | +39.7% |
| 2020 | −32.3% | −34.0% |
| 2019 | +6.0% | +11.9% |
| 2018 | −12.6% | −15.7% |
| 2017 | −7.9% | −8.3% |
| 2016 | +14.9% | +20.6% |
| 2015 | −25.7% | −30.0% |
| 2014 | +4.8% | +4.1% |
| 2013 | +18.6% | +17.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 82% of each fund.
AMLP
- PAA Plains All American Pipeline LP14.0%
- MPLX MPLX LP Partnership Units13.7%
- EPD Enterprise Products Partners LP13.2%
- WES Western Midstream Partners LP13.1%
- ET Energy Transfer LP13.1%
- SUN Sunoco LP12.6%
- HESM Hess Midstream LP Class A7.5%
- CQP Cheniere Energy Partners LP4.8%
- USAC USA Compression Partners LP4.1%
- WBI WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC Ordinary Shares - Class A2.9%
MLPA
- ET Energy Transfer LP14.2%
- EPD Enterprise Products Partners LP12.5%
- MPLX MPLX LP Partnership Units11.8%
- PAA Plains All American Pipeline LP11.4%
- WES Western Midstream Partners LP9.4%
- SUN Sunoco LP8.1%
- HESM Hess Midstream LP Class A7.0%
- CQP Cheniere Energy Partners LP6.9%
- USAC USA Compression Partners LP5.2%
- GEL Genesis Energy LP4.1%
AMLP vs MLPA: questions
Is AMLP or MLPA better?
It depends on the job. AMLP pays more today (8.01% vs 7.70%), MLPA costs less, and AMLP has the better total return over Apr 2012 to Oct 2026, with AMLP holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, AMLP or MLPA?
AMLP, at 8.01% against 7.70% for MLPA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $801 vs $770 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
AMLP. From Apr 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 5.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.5% for MLPA. $10,000 became $20,400 vs $18,808.
Which is cheaper, AMLP or MLPA?
MLPA, with a 0.77% expense ratio against 1.01%.
Do AMLP and MLPA hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (ET, EPD, MPLX, PAA), at least 82% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. AMLP leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.