EVPF vs. PREF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EVPF (Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF) and PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EVPF charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PREF.

Performance

EVPF vs. PREF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF (EVPF) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

EVPF

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PREF

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 6M: 2.34%
• 1Y: 6.96%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 3.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

EVPF vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
EVPF Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF	1.16%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between EVPF and PREF is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2026	0.60

Return for Risk

EVPF vs. PREF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 67
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

EVPF vs. PREF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF (EVPF) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EVPF	PREF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.66	+0.47

Drawdowns

EVPF vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVPF drawdown since its inception was -2.36%, smaller than the maximum PREF drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVPF and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVPF	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-22.99%	+20.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	0.00%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.52%	-3.66%	+3.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.55%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EVPF	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.68%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.52%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.35%	3.09%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.35%	4.87%	-0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.35%	6.30%	-1.95%

EVPF vs. PREF - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVPF has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than PREF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVPF vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

EVPF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than PREF's 5.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVPF Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.15%	4.87%	4.65%	4.67%	4.63%	4.07%	4.35%	4.67%	5.49%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVPF and PREF in my portfolio?

EVPF and PREF have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EVPF or PREF?

On fees, EVPF is cheaper at 0.39% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVPF or PREF?

EVPF is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PREF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EVPF or PREF?

PREF has the higher dividend yield at 5.15%, compared with 1.08% for EVPF.

What is the main difference between EVPF and PREF?

They also come from different issuers: Eaton Vance and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for EVPF and 0.55% for PREF.