Are Master Limited Partnership a good investment?
Caleb Butler
Updated on April 01, 2026
Investors receive tax-sheltered distributions from the MLP. MLPs are considered low-risk, long-term investments, providing a slow but steady income stream. MLPs are limited to the natural resources and real estate sectors.
What is an MLP pipeline?
MLP stands for Master Limited Partnership. Most people think of MLPs as energy pipeline companies with an advantageous tax structure, which is an extreme simplification, but not untrue. All partnerships in the US, including MLPs, pay no income tax at the partnership (or company) level.
What are the best master limited partnerships?
The table of contents below allows for easy navigation of the article:
- MLP #5: NextEra Energy Partners (NEP)
- MLP #4: Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP)
- MLP #3: Sunoco LP (SUN)
- MLP #2: MPLX LP (MPLX)
- MLP #1: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD)
- MLP ETFs, ETNs, & Mutual Funds.
- Final Thoughts.
How are master limited partnerships taxed?
MLPs are pass-through entities, meaning they don’t pay taxes on their earnings as long as they pass the vast majority of them on to investors as distributions.
Why are pipelines MLPs?
Investing in MLPs are low risk because they are considered slow-growing industries, like pipeline construction. They usually earn stable income with long-term contracts. And offer steady cash flows and consistent cash distribution. Pipeline companies make up the majority of MLPs.
Is Sun a master limited partnership?
Company Questions. What is Sunoco LP? Sunoco LP is a master limited partnership (MLP) that is a key player in the U.S. wholesale motor fuels distribution, refined products transportation, and storage and terminalling.
Who is the largest pipeline company in the US?
Kinder Morgan
Kinder Morgan: North America’s leading gas infrastructure company. Kinder Morgan operates the largest gas pipeline system in North America, transporting 40% of all the gas consumed in the U.S. Its pipelines connect to every major supply basin and demand center.
Which MLPs are C Corps?
The large-cap C-Corp side consists of companies such as Enbridge (ticker: ENB), Kinder Morgan (KMI), Williams (WMB), Targa Resources (TRGP), and ONEOK (OKE). On the other side are MLPs, such as Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), Energy Transfer (ET), and MPLX (MPLX).
What are the best MLPs to own?
High-yield MLPs to buy now:
- MPLX (MPLX)
- Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP)
- Dorchester Minerals (DMLP)
- CrossAmerica Partners (CAPL)
- Hoegh LNG Partners (HMLP)
- USA Compression Partners (USAC)
What happened to MLPs?
MLPs are Bleeding Unfortunately, not even MLPs are immune to a prolonged price crash. The number of pipeline MLPs has plummeted ever since the 2014-’16 crude price collapse triggered a series of cuts to quarterly payouts.
Income from an MLP is not taxed at the corporate level, which avoids the common problem of double taxation for corporations. 1 The income from an MLP is not tax-deferred if the units are held in an IRA, eliminating the tax benefits of an MLP investment.
How is a limited partnership taxed?
Limited partnerships do not pay income tax. Instead, they will “pass through” any profits or losses to partners. Each partner will include their share of a partnership’s income or loss on their tax return. A partnership is created when two or more persons join together in order to carry on business or trade.
Why are midstream companies MLPs?
When most investors think about MLPs, they focus on midstream —those companies involved in transportation, storage, and processing. These fee-based business models benefit from the abundance of natural resources in the US and generate consistent cash flows.
Why are pipeline stocks going down?
Pipeline stocks plunge after U.S. energy regulator ends key income tax allowance. Pipeline stocks plummeted Thursday after a U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision to bar Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) from recovering an income tax allowance on interstate oil and gas pipelines.
What is wrong with Amlp?
AMLP is simply too tax-inefficient of an investment vehicle. Most investors would pay substantially less in taxes, and therefore receive substantially higher total shareholder returns, by investing elsewhere. See here for more information about the fund’s tax situation.
When was the first master limited partnership created?
The History of Master Limited Partnerships MLPs were created in 1981 to allow certain business partnerships to issue publicly traded ownership interests. The first MLP was Apache Oil Company, which was quickly followed by other energy MLPs, and then real estate MLPs.
Who are the master limited partnerships of Marathon Petroleum?
MPLX, LP is a master limited partnership that was formed by the Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) in 2012. The business operates in two segments: Logistics and Storage – which relates to crude oil and refined petroleum products – and Gathering and Processing – which relates to natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs).
What should you know before investing in a master limited partnership?
All MLP investors should check with their tax accountants. The vast majority of MLPs invest in midstream oil and gas companies, primarily in the pipeline, storage and distribution sectors. Why MLP’s? Master Limited Partnerships are often referred to as an “investor’s dream.” Why?
Which is better an MLP or a pipeline?
Some master limited partnerships are riskier than others. For example, larger pipeline MLPs are relatively stable – they generate a steady cash flow, as they’re not significantly impacted by oil and gas prices. Larger pipelines are also difficult to replace, making them more valuable for MLP investors.