DVY vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DVY (iShares Select Dividend ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DVY is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, while PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DVY returned 10.49%/yr vs 3.35%/yr for PFF. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DVY charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

DVY vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) 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, DVY achieves a 13.40% return, which is significantly higher than PFF's 2.40% return. Over the past 10 years, DVY has outperformed PFF with an annualized return of 10.49%, while PFF has yielded a comparatively lower 3.35% annualized return.

DVY

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 4.47%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 24.31%
• 3Y*: 15.86%
• 5Y*: 9.31%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

PFF

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: 2.40%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 8.18%
• 3Y*: 6.77%
• 5Y*: 1.32%
• 10Y*: 3.35%

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

DVY vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	13.40%	11.60%	16.24%	1.12%	1.80%	31.70%	-4.91%	22.62%	-6.36%	14.82%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	2.40%	4.87%	7.24%	9.22%	-18.19%	7.15%	7.89%	15.93%	-4.64%	8.10%

Correlation

The correlation between DVY and PFF is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2007	0.51

The correlation between DVY and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

DVY vs. PFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVY	PFF
Financial Services	24.9%	51.6%
Utilities	24.2%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	13.5%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	1.3%
Energy	9.1%	0.4%
Communication Services	6.0%	3.4%
Healthcare	5.0%	1.4%
Technology	3.4%	4.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.6%
Industrials	2.1%	5.6%
Real Estate	-	10.5%

Return for Risk

DVY vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVY

DVY Risk / Return Rank: 78
DVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
DVY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
DVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DVY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 36
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
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.

DVY vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) 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.

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.

	DVY	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.19	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	1.72	+1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.21	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	1.56	+1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.51	4.75	+7.76

DVY vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is higher than the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVY 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.

Drawdowns

DVY vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVY drawdown since its inception was -62.59%, roughly equal to the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVY and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVY	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.59%	-65.55%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.89%	-5.28%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.00%	-10.63%	-5.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.54%	-21.05%	+3.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.59%	-34.10%	-7.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.62%	+1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-5.76%	-3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.73%	+0.22%

Volatility

DVY vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) has a higher volatility of 2.94% compared to iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) at 2.29%. This indicates that DVY'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

	DVY	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	2.29%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.54%	5.21%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	6.88%	+4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.22%	10.32%	+4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	12.67%	+5.34%

DVY vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVY has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVY vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

DVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than PFF's 5.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	3.30%	3.65%	3.65%	3.82%	3.43%	3.12%	3.66%	3.41%	3.58%	3.00%	3.04%	3.45%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.50%	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 DVY and PFF in my portfolio?

DVY and PFF have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVY or PFF?

DVY has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to PFF (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVY dropped -62.59% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, DVY or PFF?

On 10-year performance, DVY leads with 10.49% vs 3.35% for PFF. On fees, DVY is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DVY or PFF?

Over the 10-year period, DVY has performed better with a 10.49% return vs 3.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVY or PFF?

DVY is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for PFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DVY or PFF?

PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.50%, compared with 3.30% for DVY.

What is the main difference between DVY and PFF?

DVY is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while PFF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. DVY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, while PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for DVY and 0.46% for PFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.19), 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.