PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan

Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) Sharpe Ratio: 1.74

ETF · Currency in USD · Last updated Jul 14, 2026

The Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF seeks to provide current income by investing at least 80% of its net assets in preferred securities and other income-producing securities, including contingent convertible securities and other types of capital securities.

PQDI's Sharpe Ratio of 1.74 indicates that for each unit of volatility, it generates 1.74 units of excess return above the risk-free rate. The ratio is calculated using historical daily returns over the past 12 months (as of Jul 14, 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.

PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank

PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67.968
Above Average

PQDI ranks above 67.9% of all investments in our database based on Sharpe Ratio over the past 12 months, indicating above-average returns relative to volatility. 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

  • Above-average risk-adjusted returns with room for improvement
  • Compare against category peers to gauge relative positioning
  • Monitor for movement toward top tier or decline toward median
  • Consider pairing with top-tier holdings to improve portfolio efficiency

PQDI Sharpe Ratio Market Positioning

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

  • Red zone (bottom 25%): 0.74 or lower
  • Yellow zone (middle 50%): 0.74 to 1.90
  • Green zone (top 25%): 1.90 or higher
  • Top 1%: 6.43+
  • Median: 1.39 — half of all investments score higher

How it compares to other similar ETFs

The table compares Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF's Sharpe Ratio with other ETFs in the Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds category across multiple time periods, showing how PQDI'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 Jul 14, 2026.

SymbolName1Y Sharpe Ratio5Y Sharpe Ratio10Y Sharpe RatioAll Time Sharpe Ratio
NPFINuveen Preferred And Income ETF2.27
VRPInvesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF1.96
PRFDPIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund1.92
FPEIFirst Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF1.92
ICVTiShares Convertible Bond ETF1.86
CSPFCohen & Steers Preferred and Income Opportunities Active ETF1.79
PFLDAAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A1.77
PQDIPrincipal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF1.74
PREFPrincipal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF1.74
FCVTFirst Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF1.73

S&P 500 Index

How to choose period

Historical Sharpe Ratio

The chart shows PQDI'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 PQDI consistently outperforms (line above benchmark), underperforms (below benchmark), or aligns with the benchmark.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratio Calculator

How does PQDI fit in your portfolio?

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

Analyze Your Portfolio