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Key people at Alerian.
Alerian was founded in 2004 by Gabriel Hammond (Founder).
Based in Dallas, Texas, Alerian is an independent financial index provider that develops benchmarks, data sets, and analytics specializing in energy infrastructure and Master Limited Partnerships. The firm generates revenue through corporate intellectual property licensing, providing critical market intelligence to investment banks, stock exchanges, and institutional asset managers. Operating with approximately eight employees, the organization generates an estimated $4 million in annual revenue and has historically seen over $20 billion in assets under management directly tied to its linked investment products. Following a 2020 merger with S-Network Global Indexes, the combined entity integrated with ETF Trends and ETF Database to form VettaFi. The entire VettaFi portfolio, including the Alerian index family, was subsequently acquired by Cboe Global Markets in December 2023. The original Alerian business was officially founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Gabriel Hammond.
Alerian is a leading independent index provider specializing in innovative, index-based investment strategies focused on energy infrastructure, particularly master limited partnerships (MLPs) in midstream activities like pipeline transportation, gathering, processing, and marketing of energy commodities.[1][5][6] Its flagship benchmarks, such as the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (AMZI), underpin prominent products like the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP), which tracks energy infrastructure MLPs for capital appreciation and income, managing over $10 billion in assets as of September 2025.[3][4][5] Alerian's mission centers on pioneering energy infrastructure indexing to deliver targeted exposure to this sector, enabling ETFs, ETNs, and other vehicles that simplify MLP investing with benefits like 1099 tax reporting, no K-1s, and IRA eligibility.[4][5][6]
Alerian pioneered energy infrastructure indexing with the creation of the first real-time MLP index, establishing itself as a trailblazer in this niche.[1][6] While exact founding details are not specified in available sources, its indices have driven key products since at least 2010, including the Alerian MLP ETF launched on August 24, 2010, by ALPS Advisors under Alerian's AMZI license.[3][4][5][6] The firm's evolution expanded its index family to include benchmarks like the Alerian MLP Index (AMZ) and Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index (AMEI), now licensed to multiple ETFs and ETNs from providers such as ALPS, Guggenheim, and UBS, reflecting growing adoption in energy-focused investing.[2][5][6]
Alerian rides the trend of energy infrastructure investing amid rising demand for oil, gas, and renewables transport, where midstream MLPs provide stable cash flows less tied to commodity price volatility.[4][5] Its timing aligns with post-2010 MLP ETF growth, capitalizing on market forces like U.S. energy independence, infrastructure buildouts, and investor appetite for high-yield income (e.g., AMLP's $0.98 quarterly distribution).[4] By standardizing benchmarks, Alerian influences the ecosystem through licensed products totaling billions in AUM, enabling broader retail and institutional access while shaping energy ETF innovation amid regulatory and environmental shifts in the sector.[1][2][6]
Alerian is poised to expand as energy transition accelerates midstream needs for natural gas pipelines and processing to support electrification and exports.[4][5] Trends like AI-driven data center power demands and global LNG growth will likely boost its indices' relevance, with potential for new benchmarks in renewables-tied infrastructure.[1][6] Its influence may evolve through more ETF licensees and tech integrations for real-time data, solidifying its role in innovative energy strategies—echoing its origins as the go-to provider for this vital asset class.[6]
Alerian was founded in 2004 by Gabriel Hammond (Founder).
Key people at Alerian.
