Energy Cycle Upside or Midstream Income? XOP vs. MLPX

The article compares two energy ETFs: XOP (State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and MLPX (Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF). XOP focuses on upstream exploration and production companies with higher growth potential tied to commodity prices, while MLPX targets midstream infrastructure with steadier income through higher dividend yields (4.20% vs 1.83%). Over five years, MLPX delivered better total returns ($2,668 vs $2,073 on $1,000 invested) with lower volatility, making it suitable for income-focused investors, while XOP appeals to those seeking cyclical commodity upside.