MLPB vs VXX: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B due (MLPB) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) carry a correlation of -0.36, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are MLPB and VXX?
Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of MLPB and VXX correlate at -0.36, negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The past 12 months show a tighter link (0.19) than the 3-year average (-0.36). Stretching to 5 years gives -0.33, with an annualized covariance of -367.2 %².
Among the 22 assets we track against MLPB, VXX sits near the bottom by co-movement, at rank #21. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with MLPB ahead by 79.1 points (+29.4% versus -49.7%). One caveat on sizing: VXX is 3.7 times as volatile as the other leg, so an equal-dollar split is far from equal-risk.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
MLPB vs VXX: side by side
| MLPB (ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B due) | VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +29.4% | -49.7% |
| 5-year return | +186.2% | -95.6% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 16.5% | 60.9% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.32 | -3.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -16.5% | -83.3% |
| Market cap | – | – |
| P/E (trailing) | – | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | MLPB | VXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +30.2% | -23.8% |
| 2023 | +22.0% | -72.5% |
| 2024 | +25.5% | -26.2% |
| 2025 | +7.4% | -42.2% |
| 2026 | +29.7% | -31.6% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are MLPB and VXX good diversifiers for each other?
Yes. With a correlation of -0.36, MLPB and VXX have moved largely independently, which makes them a genuinely diversifying pair by historical standards.
FAQ
What is the correlation between MLPB and VXX?
The MLPB/VXX correlation stands at -0.36 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.19, 5 years: -0.33), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is VXX a good diversifier for MLPB?
Yes. With a correlation of -0.36, MLPB and VXX have moved largely independently, which makes them a genuinely diversifying pair by historical standards.
What does a correlation of -0.36 mean?
A reading of -0.36 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/mlpb-vs-vxx.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/mlpb-vs-vxx/)
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Related comparisons
Hubs: MLPB correlations · VXX correlations
