Alerian MLP ETF(AMEX:AMLP)

AMLP seeks to invest in energy infrastructure MLPs, selected by distributions. The companies listed in its market-cap-weighted index earn majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities. Structured as a C-corporation, the fund allows full allocation to MLPs, unlike traditional ETFs that can only hold 25% of their portfolios in MLPs. However, this structure introduces a layer of taxation that prevents it from passing through the full return of its underlying index. Therefore, AMLP provides diluted exposure to its MLPs. This, however, benefits shareholdersmost distributions are tax-deferred, similar to the underlying MLPs and in contrast to ETNs. The underlying index is rebalanced every quarter.