MLPA vs MLPX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, MLPA yields more: 7.70% (dividend yield) against 4.32% for MLPX. MLPX is cheaper to own at 0.45% a year vs 0.77%. Over the same 13 years (Aug 2013 to Oct 2026), MLPX returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and MLPA 4.0%.
| Compared | MLPA | MLPX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 7.70% | 4.32% |
| Expense ratio | 0.77% | 0.45% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +25.6% | +36.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +16.6% | +27.8% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +17.1% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +6.8% | +12.1% |
| Worst drop since Aug 2013 | -72.4% | -61.0% |
| Share price since Aug 2013 | −41% | +74% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Global X | Global X |
| Assets | $2.4B | $3.8B |
| Started | 2012 | 2013 |
| Type | Energy Limited Partnership | Energy Limited Partnership |
Higher yield
MLPA
7.70%
Lower cost
MLPX
0.45%
Better total return
MLPX
9.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
MLPX
-61.0%
Key facts: MLPA vs MLPX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, MLPA yields 7.70% (dividend yield) and MLPX yields 4.32% (dividend yield).
- MLPA's expense ratio is 0.77% and MLPX's is 0.45%: $77 vs $45 a year on $10,000.
- From Aug 2013 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in MLPA grew to $16,686 (4.0% a year) and $10,000 in MLPX to $33,908 (9.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -72.4% for MLPA and -61.0% for MLPX.
- 2 of MLPA's top ten holdings are also in MLPX's top ten, an overlap of at least 9% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MLPA vs MLPX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/mlpa-vs-mlpx
$10,000 in each, Aug 2013 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
MLPA became
$16,686
4.0% a year
MLPX became
$33,908
9.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | MLPA | MLPX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.8% | +4.9% |
| 2024 | +20.4% | +42.9% |
| 2023 | +15.9% | +15.8% |
| 2022 | +27.1% | +21.5% |
| 2021 | +39.7% | +39.7% |
| 2020 | −34.0% | −20.3% |
| 2019 | +11.9% | +19.1% |
| 2018 | −15.7% | −15.5% |
| 2017 | −8.3% | −4.5% |
| 2016 | +20.6% | +36.3% |
| 2015 | −30.0% | −35.3% |
| 2014 | +4.1% | +16.2% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
2 of the top ten overlap, at least 9% of each fund.
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%
MLPX
- TRP.TO TC Energy Corp9.2%
- WMB Williams Companies Inc9.0%
- ENB.TO Enbridge Inc8.7%
- TRGP Targa Resources Corp8.3%
- KMI Kinder Morgan Inc Class P7.3%
- OKE ONEOK Inc6.5%
- LNG Cheniere Energy Inc5.3%
- PPL.TO Pembina Pipeline Corp4.7%
- MPLX MPLX LP Partnership Units4.5%
- EPD Enterprise Products Partners LP4.4%
MLPA vs MLPX: questions
Is MLPA or MLPX better?
It depends on the job. MLPA pays more today (7.70% vs 4.32%), MLPX costs less, and MLPX has the better total return over Aug 2013 to Oct 2026, with MLPX 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, MLPA or MLPX?
MLPA, at 7.70% against 4.32% for MLPX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $770 vs $432 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
MLPX. From Aug 2013 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.0% for MLPA. $10,000 became $33,908 vs $16,686.
Which is cheaper, MLPA or MLPX?
MLPX, with a 0.45% expense ratio against 0.77%.
Do MLPA and MLPX hold the same things?
Partly. 2 of their top ten holdings match (MPLX, EPD), at least 9% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. MLPX leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.