EPRF vs. MTBA

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

EPRF (Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF) and MTBA (Simplify MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPRF is a Preferred Stock fund tracking the S&P U.S. High Quality Preferred Stock Index, while MTBA is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Simplify. EPRF is passively managed, while MTBA is actively managed. Over the past year, EPRF returned -1.86% vs 2.60% for MTBA. Their 0.43 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EPRF charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for MTBA.

Performance

EPRF vs. MTBA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF (EPRF) and Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPRF achieves a -2.35% return, which is significantly lower than MTBA's -0.64% return.

EPRF

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.38%
• 6M: -3.64%
• YTD: -2.35%
• 1Y: -1.86%
• 3Y*: 2.69%
• 5Y*: -2.10%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 1.08%

MTBA

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -0.83%
• 6M: -1.11%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 1Y: 2.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EPRF Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF	$130.96K	$126.83K	$172.59K
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF	$6.73M	$6.03M	$8.90M

EPRF vs. MTBA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EPRF Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF	-2.35%	2.69%	3.46%	6.52%
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF	-0.64%	7.74%	1.99%	3.67%

Correlation

The correlation between EPRF and MTBA is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2023	0.44

Return for Risk

EPRF vs. MTBA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EPRF

EPRF Risk / Return Rank: 7
EPRF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
EPRF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
EPRF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
EPRF Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
EPRF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

MTBA

MTBA Risk / Return Rank: 37
MTBA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
MTBA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
MTBA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MTBA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
MTBA Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EPRF vs. MTBA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF (EPRF) and Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA). 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.

	EPRF	MTBA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	1.02	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.32	1.42	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.19	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.23	1.13	-1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	3.16	-3.57

EPRF vs. MTBA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPRF Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the MTBA Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPRF and MTBA, 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

EPRF vs. MTBA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPRF drawdown since its inception was -26.82%, which is greater than MTBA's maximum drawdown of -3.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPRF and MTBA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPRF	MTBA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.82%	-3.48%	-23.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.59%	-2.82%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.03%	-2.01%	-9.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.44%	-0.83%	-6.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	1.01%	+3.82%

Volatility

EPRF vs. MTBA - Volatility Comparison

Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF (EPRF) has a higher volatility of 1.91% compared to Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA) at 0.84%. This indicates that EPRF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MTBA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPRF	MTBA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	0.84%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.51%	2.71%	+2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.44%	3.14%	+4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.85%	3.92%	+7.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.39%	3.92%	+9.47%

EPRF vs. MTBA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPRF has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than MTBA's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPRF vs. MTBA - Dividend Comparison

EPRF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.18%, more than MTBA's 6.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPRF Innovator S&P High Quality Preferred ETF	6.18%	6.03%	6.13%	5.71%	5.67%	4.70%	4.92%	5.01%	5.27%	2.59%
MTBA Simplify MBS ETF	6.09%	5.98%	6.03%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPRF and MTBA in my portfolio?

EPRF and MTBA have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPRF or MTBA?

EPRF has higher volatility (1.91%) compared to MTBA (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPRF dropped -26.82% vs MTBA's -3.48%.

Which ETF is better, EPRF or MTBA?

On 1-year performance, MTBA leads with 2.60% vs -1.86% for EPRF. On fees, MTBA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, MTBA has been the lower-risk option at 0.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPRF or MTBA?

Over the 1-year period, MTBA has performed better with a 2.60% return vs -1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPRF or MTBA?

MTBA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for EPRF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPRF or MTBA?

EPRF has the higher dividend yield at 6.18%, compared with 6.09% for MTBA.

What is the main difference between EPRF and MTBA?

EPRF is categorized as Preferred Stock, while MTBA is Mortgage Backed Securities. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for EPRF and 0.15% for MTBA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MTBA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs -0.27), 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.