PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan

Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) Sharpe Ratio: 0.78

Mutual Fund · Currency in USD · Last updated Jun 24, 2026

A closed-end fund that seeks high current income and total return by investing in variable rate preferred securities and other variable rate income-producing securities. Managed by Nuveen.

NPFD's Sharpe Ratio of 0.78 indicates that for each unit of volatility, it generates 0.78 units of excess return above the risk-free rate. The ratio is calculated using historical daily returns over the past 12 months (as of Jun 24, 2026).

Sharpe uses total volatility (standard deviation) which includes both upside and downside price movements, making it useful for comparing risk-adjusted returns across different assets. For how to read this number and when it can mislead, see Sharpe Ratio Explained.

NPFD Sharpe Ratio Rank

NPFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10.210
Concerning

NPFD ranks above 10.2% of all investments in our database based on Sharpe Ratio over the past 12 months, indicating weak returns relative to total risk taken. Securities are ranked from 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

What moves the rank

  • Strong returns with low total volatility → Higher rank
  • High volatility (both upside and downside) → Lower rank
  • Consistent returns → Higher rank than volatile returns of same magnitude
  • Sharp drawdowns increase volatility → Lower rank

What you can do with this information

  • Weak risk-adjusted returns relative to category peers
  • Evaluate whether this holding aligns with your risk-return objectives
  • Consider reducing exposure or re-evaluating position size
  • Review higher-ranked alternatives in the same category

NPFD Sharpe Ratio Market Positioning

The chart shows NPFD's Sharpe Ratio relative to all mutual funds on our platform, with color zones indicating percentile rankings. Higher ratios indicate better risk-adjusted returns.

  • Red zone (bottom 25%): 1.30 or lower
  • Yellow zone (middle 50%): 1.30 to 2.32
  • Green zone (top 25%): 2.32 or higher
  • Top 1%: 4.27+
  • Median: 1.93 — half of all investments score higher

How it compares to other similar mutual funds

The table compares Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's Sharpe Ratio with other mutual funds in the Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds category across multiple time periods, showing how NPFD's risk-adjusted performance compares to similar funds.

Data shows 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods, plus each fund's all-time average, as of Jun 24, 2026.

SymbolName1Y Sharpe Ratio5Y Sharpe Ratio10Y Sharpe RatioAll Time Sharpe Ratio
DPIIXDestra Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Fund3.35
PISHXCohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income SMA Shares3.33
PCSFXPrincipal Capital Securities Fund3.14
LPXZXCohen & Steers Low Duration Preferred and Income Fund3.09
CPXIXCohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc.3.02
CICVXCalamos Convertible Fund2.87
CCVIXCalamos Convertible Fund2.85
NCVVirtus Convertible and Income Fund2.68
NPSRXNuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund2.68
FIQVXFidelity Advisor Convertible Securities Fund Class Z2.65
NPFDNuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund0.78

S&P 500 Index

How to choose period

Historical Sharpe Ratio

The chart shows NPFD's rolling Sharpe ratio over time compared to your chosen benchmark. Rising trends indicate improving returns relative to total volatility, while declining trends may signal deteriorating risk-adjusted performance or increased volatility. Use multiple timeframes to distinguish short-term fluctuations from long-term patterns.

Identify market cycles by observing when NPFD consistently outperforms (line above benchmark), underperforms (below benchmark), or aligns with the benchmark.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratio Calculator

How does NPFD fit in your portfolio?

Add your other holdings to see your portfolio's Sharpe Ratio and find out.

Analyze Your Portfolio