AWF vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AWF (AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both funds - AWF is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index. AWF is actively managed, while PFF is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AWF returned 5.81%/yr vs 3.30%/yr for PFF. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AWF charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

AWF vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund (AWF) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWF achieves a -1.70% return, which is significantly lower than PFF's 2.93% return. Over the past 10 years, AWF has outperformed PFF with an annualized return of 5.81%, while PFF has yielded a comparatively lower 3.30% annualized return.

AWF

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: -1.70%
• 6M: -1.84%
• 1Y: 1.42%
• 3Y*: 8.89%
• 5Y*: 4.17%
• 10Y*: 5.81%

PFF

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 2.93%
• 6M: 3.41%
• 1Y: 9.35%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 1.50%
• 10Y*: 3.30%

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

AWF vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWF AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund	-1.70%	7.54%	14.30%	18.37%	-16.62%	9.95%	4.40%	23.40%	-11.35%	7.77%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	2.93%	4.87%	7.24%	9.22%	-18.19%	7.15%	7.89%	15.93%	-4.64%	8.10%

Correlation

The correlation between AWF and PFF is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2007	0.41

Return for Risk

AWF vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWF

AWF Risk / Return Rank: 3
AWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
AWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
AWF Omega Ratio Rank: 3
AWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
AWF Martin Ratio Rank: 3

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 36
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

AWF vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund (AWF) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). 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.

	AWF	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.16	1.39	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.29	2.01	-1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.24	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	1.78	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.33	5.51	-5.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AWF vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWF Sharpe Ratio is 0.16, which is lower than the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWF and PFF, 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

	AWF	PFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16	1.39	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.15	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.26	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.21	+0.10

Drawdowns

AWF vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWF drawdown since its inception was -55.54%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWF and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWF	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.54%	-65.55%	+10.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-5.28%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.12%	-10.63%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-21.05%	-4.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.12%	-34.10%	-6.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.81%	-1.11%	-4.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.31%	-5.77%	-6.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.26%	1.70%	+2.56%

Volatility

AWF vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund (AWF) has a higher volatility of 3.53% compared to iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) at 2.09%. This indicates that AWF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWF	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	2.09%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.25%	5.09%	+2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.70%	6.75%	+1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.11%	10.30%	+1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.22%	12.66%	+2.56%

AWF vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWF has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWF vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

AWF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.68%, more than PFF's 5.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWF AllianceBernstein Global High Income Closed Fund	7.68%	7.81%	7.47%	7.33%	10.30%	6.48%	6.68%	6.62%	7.97%	6.03%	7.73%	10.28%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.47%	6.30%	6.32%	6.63%	6.01%	4.45%	4.79%	5.31%	6.32%	5.59%	5.85%	5.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWF and PFF in my portfolio?

AWF and PFF have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWF or PFF?

AWF has higher volatility (3.53%) compared to PFF (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWF dropped -55.54% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.16), 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.