First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

EMLP

Valor de mercado US$ 4,14 bi

Energy infrastructure ETFs delivered varying returns for investors in the third quarter of 2026, driven largely by underlying exposure to the utilities sector. Utilities was the worst-performing S&P 500 sector in the third quarter, falling 12.4%.

EMLP is an actively managed ETF focused on North American energy infrastructure, with a 41% allocation to electric power and transmission. The fund is designed for risk-averse investors seeking stability during economic downturns, with low sensitivity to energy prices and broader market declines. EMLP's expense ratio is nearly double the ETF median, making custom blends of XLU and AMLP a potentially more cost-effective alternative.

Energy infrastructure and crude oil ETFs EMLP and SCO saw trading volumes well above average, putting both in focus.

When you scan a list of high-yielding master limited partnerships, the distribution yield is usually the first number that catches your eye. An 8% yield looks appealing next to a 4% investment-grade bond or a 1.5% S&P 500 dividend. But yield on its own tells you nothing about whether that payout is safe. The coverage ratio compares how much cash an MLP generates against how much it pays out.

State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio than First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund provides a higher dividend yield and includes heavy exposure to the utility sector.

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund carries a significantly higher expense ratio of 0.95% compared to the 0.52% fee for the VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF. The VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF has delivered higher total returns over the last five years, though the First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund showed much lower price volatility.

Looking beyond oil to a diversified mix of energy themes could offer more durable opportunities. Here are the ETFs to consider.

Alerian MLP ETF offers a significantly higher dividend yield of 7.76% compared to 2.79% for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund provides broader diversification with a 47% allocation to utilities and 56 total holdings Alerian MLP ETF is highly concentrated with 98% energy exposure and just 14 positions in its portfolio

The Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF is more cost-effective with an expense ratio 0.50 percentage points lower than the First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund. The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund offers broader diversification with 65 holdings and a heavy tilt toward utilities.

Vanguard Energy ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio than First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Vanguard Energy ETF has outperformed on a 1-year total return basis but has experienced a deeper historical maximum drawdown First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund provides heavier exposure to utilities while Vanguard Energy ETF is almost entirely concentrated in the energy sector