Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTRobert Izquierdo, The Motley FoolSun, July 5, 2026 at 3:43 PM GMT+2 5 min readThe Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (NYSEMKT:MLPX) offers low-cost, pure-play energy exposure, while the First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEMKT:EMLP) provides a diversified utility-heavy strategy with an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) screen.Investors seeking income from the North American energy boom often weigh these two funds. While both target the infrastructure that moves fuel and power, their internal compositions differ significantly, shifting the risk profile from a concentrated energy focus in MLPX to a broader, utility-oriented approach in EMLP.Snapshot (cost & size)MetricMLPXEMLPIssuerGlobal XFirst TrustShare price$73.66 (as of 2026-06-30)$43.50 (as of 2026-06-30)Expense ratio0.45%0.95%1-yr return (as of 2026-06-30)23.20%19.50%Dividend yield4.10%2.80%Beta0.570.56AUM$3.5 billion$4.1 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.The Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF is the more affordable choice with a 0.45% expense ratio, which is 0.50 percentage points lower than its competitor. This cost advantage is paired with a higher trailing distribution payout.Performance & risk comparisonMetricMLPXEMLPMax drawdown (5 yr)(19.70%)(14.60%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)$2,595$2,091What's insideThe First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund holds 65 securities, with a sector allocation heavily weighted toward utilities at 54%, followed by energy at 27%. Its largest positions include Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) at 7.22% and Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD) at 6.93%. The fund was launched in 2012. It incorporates an ESG screen to filter its selections of natural gas, electric, and renewable energy companies. The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund has paid $1.21 per share over the trailing 12 months, which on its recent ~$43.50 share price works out to a 2.80% yield.The Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF maintains a more concentrated portfolio of 29 holdings, with 98% of assets in the energy sector and 2% in industrials. Its largest positions include TC Energy (NYSE:TRP) at 9% and Enbridge (NYSE:ENB) at 8.92%. This fund was launched in 2013. It is designed to track the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, providing exposure to midstream companies and master limited partnerships without the tax complexity of direct partnership ownership. Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF has paid $3.04 per share over the trailing 12 months, which on its recent ~$73.66 share price works out to a 4.10% yield.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info