ARLP vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARLP (Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.) is a stock, while PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past 5 years, ARLP returned 45.72%/yr vs 6.57%/yr for PFFA. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ARLP vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARLP achieves a 14.82% return, which is significantly higher than PFFA's 3.08% return.

ARLP

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -1.06%
• YTD: 14.82%
• 6M: 12.17%
• 1Y: 7.68%
• 3Y*: 25.72%
• 5Y*: 45.72%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

PFFA

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 4.03%
• 1Y: 14.79%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 6.57%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARLP vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARLP Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.	14.82%	-2.45%	39.91%	18.83%	73.34%	195.75%	-56.80%	-28.90%	2.15%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	3.08%	8.22%	16.11%	26.45%	-20.91%	23.53%	-7.87%	31.99%	-7.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ARLP and PFFA is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2018	0.23

The correlation between ARLP and PFFA shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARLP vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARLP

ARLP Risk / Return Rank: 48
ARLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
ARLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
ARLP Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ARLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
ARLP Martin Ratio Rank: 49

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 56
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARLP vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARLP	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.34	2.12	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	3.00	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.40	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	2.29	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.83	7.79	-6.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARLP vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARLP Sharpe Ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARLP and PFFA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARLP	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34	2.12	-1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	0.57	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.24	+0.13

Drawdowns

ARLP vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARLP drawdown since its inception was -90.52%, which is greater than PFFA's maximum drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARLP and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARLP	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.52%	-70.52%	-20.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.62%	-6.49%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.83%	-12.15%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.13%	-22.70%	-6.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.24%	-1.50%	-8.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.34%	-6.65%	-17.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.28%	1.90%	+7.38%

Volatility

ARLP vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP) has a higher volatility of 5.78% compared to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) at 1.87%. This indicates that ARLP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARLP	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.78%	1.87%	+3.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.70%	5.68%	+10.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.63%	7.02%	+15.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.82%	11.51%	+22.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.24%	31.84%	+18.40%

Dividends

ARLP vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

ARLP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.45%, less than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARLP Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.	9.45%	11.19%	10.65%	13.22%	7.38%	3.16%	8.93%	19.82%	11.94%	9.54%	8.85%	19.74%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	9.62%	9.47%	9.18%	9.56%	10.75%	7.64%	8.54%	10.02%	5.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARLP and PFFA in my portfolio?

ARLP and PFFA have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARLP or PFFA?

ARLP has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to PFFA (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARLP dropped -90.52% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.34), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.