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MLPX vs UMI
Which ETF would AI Choose? Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) vs. USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund (UMI)
Key Takeaways
- MLPX is a passively managed fund tracking the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index, while UMI is an actively managed, income-focused midstream strategy with a fundamental, ESG-integrated process.
- Both funds concentrate almost entirely in North American midstream energy infrastructure, but MLPX carries a materially lower expense ratio (0.45%) than UMI (0.85% gross, 0.69% net).
- MLPX holds roughly 29 securities versus UMI's approximately 24–25, giving MLPX a modestly broader but similarly top-heavy portfolio.
- UMI emphasizes current income and dividend growth through bottom-up security selection, while MLPX provides broad, rules-based exposure to both MLPs (master limited partnerships) and C-corporation midstream operators.
- Both ETFs are non-diversified and highly correlated to midstream cash flows, making fee efficiency, liquidity, and portfolio nuance the key differentiators in this ETF comparison.
Introduction
MLPX and UMI sit at the intersection of two durable investor goals: energy exposure and steady income. Although they do not compete directly in structure, they are close substitutes in outcome, both targeting the midstream segment of the energy value chain — the pipelines, storage, gathering, and processing assets that generate fee-based cash flows largely insulated from day-to-day commodity price swings. Comparing them is timely because midstream equities have drawn renewed capital flows amid demand for yield, a constructive liquefied natural gas (LNG) export buildout, and resilient domestic production. The central question for investors is whether a low-cost, rules-based approach (MLPX) or a selective, actively managed income strategy (UMI) offers better relative positioning.
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) Overview
MLPX is a passively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the Solactive MLP & Energy Infrastructure Index. It invests at least 80% of its assets in the index's securities, spanning midstream energy infrastructure MLPs and corporations. The fund holds approximately 29 securities and is effectively 100% allocated to the energy sector, with meaningful exposure to large-cap operators across the United States and Canada.
Top holdings include WMB (Williams), TRP (TC Energy), ENB (Enbridge), TRGP (Targa Resources), KMI (Kinder Morgan), and OKE (ONEOK), with additional positions in LNG (Cheniere Energy), PBA (Pembina Pipeline), MPLX, and EPD (Enterprise Products Partners). The fund carries a net expense ratio of 0.45% and is classified as non-diversified, meaning a relatively small number of positions can drive returns.
USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund (UMI) Overview
UMI is an actively managed ETF advised by USCF Advisers, with Miller/Howard Investments serving as sub-adviser. Its primary objective is a high level of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary goal. The fund invests at least 80% of net assets in U.S. and Canadian midstream energy companies of any market capitalization and integrates ESG (environmental, social, and governance) research into its bottom-up security selection.
The portfolio holds roughly 24–25 securities, with top positions including ET (Energy Transfer), EPD (Enterprise Products Partners), TRGP (Targa Resources), WMB (Williams), KMI (Kinder Morgan), and ENB (Enbridge), alongside PAGP (Plains GP Holdings), DTM (DT Midstream), MPLX, and OKE (ONEOK). Energy represents nearly the entire portfolio. UMI's gross expense ratio is 0.85%, though the net expense ratio is 0.69% after fee waivers — still roughly 50% higher than MLPX.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both funds operate in the midstream energy complex, whose economics are driven less by oil and gas prices and more by volumes, contract structures, and capital discipline. Recent market cycles have favored midstream operators as producers prioritize free cash flow, companies raise dividends and buy back stock, and utilities-style infrastructure attracts income-seeking capital. The growth of U.S. LNG export capacity has become a key catalyst, supporting long-term demand for pipeline and processing assets. Macro drivers include interest-rate expectations, which affect both financing costs and the relative appeal of midstream yields versus fixed income, as well as regulatory and permitting developments that shape project economics. Principal risks include volume declines, oversupply, environmental policy shifts, and, for MLP structures, tax complexity.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
Over recent weeks and recent market cycles, MLPX and UMI have moved largely in tandem, reflecting their near-identical sector exposure and overlapping top holdings. Both have benefited from the same tailwinds — steady energy demand, disciplined capital allocation, and rising distributions — and their relative performance has tended to track the few areas where their portfolios diverge. MLPX's heavier weighting to Canadian operators such as ENB and TRP and its inclusion of LNG differentiate it slightly, while UMI's active tilts toward names such as DTM and PAGP and its ESG-integrated selection process can produce modest divergence. On a structural basis, MLPX's lower cost gives it a small compounding advantage over time, while UMI offers more concentrated, manager-driven relative positioning. UMI's smaller asset base and lower average daily volume also translate to wider bid-ask spreads and thinner liquidity than MLPX.
AI Screener
Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. To explore how MLPX, UMI, and their midstream peers rank across these dimensions, run your own scan with the AI Screener.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor MLPX over UMI in the current environment. MLPX's materially lower expense ratio, larger asset base, tighter bid-ask spreads, and deeper liquidity provide a durable cost and execution advantage that compounds over time. Its broader rules-based portfolio also offers comparable sector exposure with slightly greater diversification. UMI's active management and income orientation are legitimate differentiators, but its higher fees and thinner trading volume offset much of that benefit unless the manager consistently adds alpha. While both funds offer similar midstream exposure and have exhibited comparable trend consistency in recent cycles, MLPX's structural efficiency and cost profile give it the edge on a risk-adjusted, long-horizon basis.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MLPX is a Hold and UMI is a Buy.
Momentum Indicator for MLPX turns positive, indicating new upward trend
MLPX saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 90 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 83 of the 90 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MLPX just turned positive on October 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where MLPX's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 44 of 50 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
MLPX moved above its 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for MLPX crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 17 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
Following a +2.54% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MLPX advanced for three days, in 354 of 387 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 310 of 353 cases where MLPX Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 88%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for MLPX moved out of overbought territory on October 30, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 40 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 35 of the 40 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 88%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MLPX declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 78%.
MLPX broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Momentum Indicator for UMI turns positive, indicating new upward trend
UMI saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 89 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 82 of the 89 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for UMI just turned positive on October 07, 2026. Looking at past instances where UMI's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 43 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
UMI moved above its 50-day moving average on October 23, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for UMI crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 15 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Following a +1.90% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where UMI advanced for three days, in 356 of 395 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 288 of 337 cases where UMI Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 85%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where UMI declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 74%.
UMI broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
| MLPX | UMI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | 3 days ago 75% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 90% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 89% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 89% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 18 days ago 78% | 18 days ago 74% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 84% | 3 days ago 88% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 85% |
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MLPX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MLPX has been closely correlated with KMI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MLPX jumps, then KMI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MLPX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLPX | 100% | -0.21% | ||
| KMI - MLPX | 82% Closely correlated | -0.29% | ||
| OKE - MLPX | 80% Closely correlated | +1.30% | ||
| PBA - MLPX | 80% Closely correlated | +0.96% | ||
| TRGP - MLPX | 80% Closely correlated | +1.24% | ||
| WMB - MLPX | 79% Closely correlated | -0.71% | ||
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UMI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, UMI has been closely correlated with KMI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if UMI jumps, then KMI could also see price increases.