First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

EMLP

Market cap $4.09B

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

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure ETF (EMLP) blends midstream and utility stocks, offering diversification but a lower 2.76% yield versus pure midstream peers. EMLP's 43% utility allocation reduces drawdown risk during midstream sell-offs but may limit upside if midstream growth outpaces utilities amid the data center boom. Both utilities and midstream holdings benefit from secular growth drivers—utilities via $1.4T capex for data centers, midstream via rising gas demand and LNG exports.

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP) just paid investors $0.2993 per share for the first quarter of 2026, continuing a string of distributions that have run between roughly 29 and 31 cents for the past two years.

Energy infrastructure income has rewarded patient holders in 2026, and two funds dominate the conversation: First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP) and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (NYSEARCA:ENFR).

Global X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio and a higher distribution yield than the First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund provides broader sector diversification by splitting its portfolio between energy and utilities.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund has a higher expense ratio and lower historical volatility compared to the Invesco Solar ETF. Invesco Solar ETF concentrates on the solar industry, while First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund balances energy and utility infrastructure.

You're only going to get hurt if you try to predict whiplashing oil prices and fragile ceasefires.

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure ETF offers diversified exposure to energy infrastructure equities, blending midstream companies and utilities. EMLP's active management has outperformed major energy infrastructure indices since inception, though its yield (2.76%) trails pure midstream ETFs due to utility exposure. Recent Middle East hostilities have driven oil prices higher, boosting EMLP's share price by 16.77% and total return by 19.59% since the last review.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund offers diversified exposure to energy infrastructure, focusing on midstream operators and utilities with a 3.06% yield. EMLP provides access to MLPs without K-1 tax forms, making it suitable for both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts. The fund's active management and top-heavy portfolio have delivered strong long-term performance, benefiting from sector growth and the AI-driven power demand surge.