BIZD vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

BIZD (VanEck BDC Income ETF) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIZD is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Business Development Companies Index, while PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. BIZD is passively managed, while PFFA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BIZD returned 4.48%/yr vs 6.42%/yr for PFFA. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BIZD charges 12.86%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

BIZD vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD) 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, BIZD achieves a -9.43% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 3.08% return.

BIZD

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -1.20%
• YTD: -9.43%
• 6M: -8.46%
• 1Y: -13.47%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

PFFA

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

BIZD vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BIZD VanEck BDC Income ETF	-9.43%	-4.96%	15.63%	27.02%	-8.51%	36.25%	-7.12%	30.87%	-8.58%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	3.08%	8.22%	16.11%	26.45%	-20.91%	23.53%	-7.87%	31.99%	-7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between BIZD and PFFA is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018	0.48

Return for Risk

BIZD vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIZD

BIZD Risk / Return Rank: 4
BIZD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BIZD Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BIZD Omega Ratio Rank: 4
BIZD Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
BIZD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 49
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

BIZD vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD) 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.

	BIZD	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.73	1.77	-2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.95	2.53	-3.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.33	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	1.95	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.02	6.47	-7.50

BIZD vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIZD Sharpe Ratio is -0.73, which is lower than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIZD 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.

Drawdowns

BIZD vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIZD drawdown since its inception was -55.44%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIZD and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIZD	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.44%	-70.52%	+15.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.22%	-6.49%	-15.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.56%	-12.15%	-10.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.91%	-22.70%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.66%	-1.50%	-18.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.75%	-6.62%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.18%	1.95%	+11.23%

Volatility

BIZD vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) at 2.17%. This indicates that BIZD'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

	BIZD	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	2.17%	+3.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.14%	5.89%	+9.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.48%	7.13%	+11.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.44%	11.53%	+5.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.77%	31.76%	-9.99%

BIZD vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIZD has a 12.86% expense ratio, which is higher than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIZD vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

BIZD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.94%, more than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIZD VanEck BDC Income ETF	13.94%	11.78%	10.94%	10.96%	11.21%	8.14%	10.39%	9.13%	10.88%	9.13%	8.51%	9.12%
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 BIZD and PFFA in my portfolio?

BIZD and PFFA have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIZD or PFFA?

BIZD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to PFFA (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIZD dropped -55.44% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which ETF is better, BIZD or PFFA?

On 5-year performance, PFFA leads with 6.42% vs 4.48% for BIZD. On fees, PFFA is cheaper at 1.47% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BIZD or PFFA?

Over the 5-year period, PFFA has performed better with a 6.42% return vs 4.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BIZD or PFFA?

PFFA is cheaper with a 1.47% expense ratio, compared with 12.86% for BIZD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BIZD or PFFA?

BIZD has the higher dividend yield at 13.94%, compared with 9.62% for PFFA.

What is the main difference between BIZD and PFFA?

BIZD is categorized as Financials Equities, while PFFA is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 12.86% for BIZD and 1.47% for PFFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.73), 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.