BBC vs. PFFA
BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBC is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. BBC is passively managed, while PFFA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBC returned -0.26%/yr vs 6.09%/yr for PFFA. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.
Performance
BBC vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 25.75% return, which is significantly higher than PFFA's 2.26% return.
BBC
- 1D
- 1.59%
- 1M
- 13.54%
- YTD
- 25.75%
- 6M
- 22.73%
- 1Y
- 156.95%
- 3Y*
- 27.00%
- 5Y*
- -0.26%
- 10Y*
- 11.15%
PFFA
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- -0.23%
- YTD
- 2.26%
- 6M
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 11.54%
- 3Y*
- 14.10%
- 5Y*
- 6.09%
- 10Y*
- —
BBC vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF | 25.75% | 63.77% | -1.11% | -1.80% | -35.13% | -22.31% | 30.32% | 63.81% | -29.52% |
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 2.26% | 8.22% | 16.11% | 26.45% | -20.91% | 23.53% | -7.87% | 31.99% | -7.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between BBC and PFFA is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.34 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
BBC vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank
BBC
PFFA
BBC vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BBC | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.56 | 1.30 | +0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 10.46 | 1.79 | +8.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 30.65 | 5.90 | +24.75 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
BBC vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than PFFA's maximum drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and PFFA.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| BBC | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.85% | -70.52% | -6.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.10% | -6.49% | -8.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -54.45% | -12.15% | -42.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -71.97% | -22.70% | -49.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -76.85% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.28% | -2.28% | -17.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.08% | -6.62% | -30.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.14% | 1.96% | +3.18% |
Volatility
BBC vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 12.08% compared to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) at 2.13%. This indicates that BBC'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| BBC | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.08% | 2.13% | +9.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.79% | 5.91% | +20.88% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 36.27% | 7.16% | +29.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 39.52% | 11.54% | +27.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.75% | 31.74% | +6.01% |
BBC vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
BBC vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison
BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than PFFA's 9.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF | 1.35% | 1.70% | 1.00% | 0.34% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.09% | 0.00% | 0.51% |
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 9.79% | 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
BBC and PFFA have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BBC has higher volatility (12.08%) compared to PFFA (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs PFFA's -70.52%.
On 5-year performance, PFFA leads with 6.09% vs -0.26% for BBC. On fees, BBC is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, PFFA has performed better with a 6.09% return vs -0.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BBC is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.
PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.79%, compared with 1.35% for BBC.
BBC is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while PFFA is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 1.47% for PFFA.
BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs 1.62), 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.
Find the right allocation for BBC and PFFA
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer