CWB vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CWB (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. CWB is passively managed, while PFFA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, CWB returned 7.54%/yr vs 6.57%/yr for PFFA. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CWB charges 0.40%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

CWB vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB) 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, CWB achieves a 23.48% return, which is significantly higher than PFFA's 3.08% return.

CWB

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 23.48%
• 6M: 22.61%
• 1Y: 38.47%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 7.54%
• 10Y*: 12.92%

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)

CWB vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
CWB SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF	23.48%	16.61%	10.06%	14.49%	-20.81%	2.18%	53.39%	22.39%	-7.43%
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 CWB and PFFA is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2018	0.50

The correlation between CWB and PFFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

CWB vs. PFFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CWB	PFFA
Utilities	89.4%	2.3%
Healthcare	8.8%	0.9%
Technology	6.0%	3.0%
Industrials	4.6%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	0.2%
Communication Services	0.1%	5.3%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	28.1%
Real Estate	-	41.2%

Return for Risk

CWB vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWB

CWB Risk / Return Rank: 83
CWB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
CWB Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
CWB Omega Ratio Rank: 80
CWB Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CWB Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

CWB vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB) 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.

	CWB	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.12	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	3.00	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.40	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.14	2.29	+2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.58	7.79	+10.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CWB vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWB Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWB 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

	CWB	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	2.12	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.57	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.24	+0.68

Drawdowns

CWB vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWB drawdown since its inception was -32.06%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWB and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWB	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.06%	-70.52%	+38.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.52%	-6.49%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.92%	-12.15%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.41%	-22.70%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-1.50%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-6.65%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	1.90%	+0.18%

Volatility

CWB vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF (CWB) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) at 1.87%. This indicates that CWB'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

	CWB	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	1.87%	+3.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.43%	5.68%	+5.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.10%	7.02%	+7.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.95%	11.51%	+1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.47%	31.84%	-17.37%

CWB vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWB has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWB vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

CWB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWB SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF	1.35%	1.69%	1.85%	1.97%	2.21%	1.97%	2.34%	3.03%	6.17%	4.25%	4.60%	7.52%
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 CWB and PFFA in my portfolio?

CWB and PFFA have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CWB or PFFA?

CWB has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to PFFA (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWB dropped -32.06% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which ETF is better, CWB or PFFA?

On 5-year performance, CWB leads with 7.54% vs 6.57% for PFFA. On fees, CWB is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 1.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CWB or PFFA?

Over the 5-year period, CWB has performed better with a 7.54% return vs 6.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CWB or PFFA?

CWB is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.

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

PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.62%, compared with 1.35% for CWB.

What is the main difference between CWB and PFFA?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for CWB and 1.47% for PFFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CWB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.12), 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.