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Oil prices bounced higher this week after OPEC agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels a day. Russia also said it would cut output. Despite the recent gains, questions still abound on how (and whether) the supply curbs will be fully implemented.

Longer-term, the election of Donald Trump is also seen giving a boost to investments tied to fossil fuels, following a prolonged decline in prices.

Amid the volatility, consider the results of major energy funds both year-to-date and over the past five years.

For advisers or clients hoping to play the energy sector, MLPs dominated the best performers, which can offer tax advantages as well as higher income potential than many other investments.

All data is from Morningstar. Many funds have additional share classes that may come with a slightly higher expense ratio, but also a vastly lower minimum investment.
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Fidelity Select Natural Gas (FSNGX)

YTD Return: 47.34%
5-Yr. Return: -0.07%
Expense Ratio: 0.89%
Fund assets (millions): $415
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MainStay Cushing MLP Premier A (CSHAX)

YTD Return: 18.76%
5-Yr. Return: 0.50%
Expense Ratio: 1.50%
Fund assets (millions): $1,377
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Vanguard Energy Inv (VGENX)

YTD Return: 31.10%
5-Yr. Return: 0.69%
Expense Ratio: 0.37%
Fund assets (millions): $10,007
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Fidelity Select Natural Resources Port (FNARX)

YTD Return: 31.52%
5-Yr. Return: 0.77%
Expense Ratio: 0.86%
Fund assets (millions): $868
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JNL/Mellon Capital Oil & Gas Sector A (0P00003DB9)

YTD Return: 25.09%
5-Yr. Return: 2.10%
Expense Ratio: 0.64%
Fund assets (millions): $1,788
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Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Income A (MLPDX)

YTD Return: 19.76%
5-Yr. Return: 2.12%
Expense Ratio: 1.38%
Fund assets (millions): $3,756
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Fidelity Advisor Energy T (FAGNX)

YTD Return: 33.66%
5-Yr. Return: 2.76%
Expense Ratio: 1.38%
Fund assets (millions): $981
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Ivy Energy A (IEYAX)

YTD Return: 36.94%
5-Yr. Return: 2.79%
Expense Ratio: 1.49%
Fund assets (millions): $505
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Center Coast MLP Focus A (CCCAX)

YTD Return: 10.98%
5-Yr. Return: 2.81%
Expense Ratio: 1.47%
Fund assets (millions): $2,602
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Waddell & Reed Energy A (WEGAX)

YTD Return: 37.28%
5-Yr. Return: 3%
Expense Ratio: 1.64%
Fund assets (millions): $240
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Williston Basin/Mid-North America Stk A (ICPAX)

YTD Return: 37.59%
5-Yr. Return: 3.25%
Expense Ratio: 1.45%
Fund assets (millions): $664
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Fidelity Select Energy (FSENX)

YTD Return: 34.85%
5-Yr. Return: 3.29%
Expense Ratio: 0.80%
Fund assets (millions): $2,382
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Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Alpha A (MLPAX)

YTD Return: 13.66%
5-Yr. Return: 3.71%
Expense Ratio: 1.52%
Fund assets (millions): $3,498
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Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Select 40 A (MLPFX)

YTD Return: 10.32%
5-Yr. Return: 3.76%
Expense Ratio: 1.12%
Fund assets (millions): $3,066
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Advisory Research MLP & Energy Infras I (MLPPX)

YTD Return: 29.39%
5-Yr. Return: 4.43%
Expense Ratio: 1%
Fund assets (millions): $433
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Advisory Research MLP & Energy Income I (INFIX)

YTD Return: 31.56%
5-Yr. Return: 4.72%
Expense Ratio: 1.15%
Fund assets (millions): $881
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MainGate MLP A (AMLPX)

YTD Return: 19.97%
5-Yr. Return: 6.21%
Expense Ratio: 1.66%
Fund assets (millions): $1,823
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Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Instl (TORIX)

YTD Return: 38.38%
5-Yr. Return: 7.92%
Expense Ratio: 0.99%
Fund assets (millions): $2,582
Andrew Shilling
Manager, Editorial Operations, Arizent
Lee Conrad
Former senior editor, Employee Benefit News and Employee Benefit Adviser
Investment insights Fund performance Mutual funds Morningstar Fidelity Investments Vanguard
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