FPEIX vs. FFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPEIX (First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund) and FFA (First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund) are both mutual funds - FPEIX is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund managed by First Trust, while FFA is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, FPEIX returned 4.98%/yr vs 13.61%/yr for FFA. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FPEIX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for FFA.

Performance

FPEIX vs. FFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) and First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPEIX achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly lower than FFA's 6.01% return. Over the past 10 years, FPEIX has underperformed FFA with an annualized return of 4.98%, while FFA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.61% annualized return.

FPEIX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.86%
• 1Y: 8.25%
• 3Y*: 9.82%
• 5Y*: 2.99%
• 10Y*: 4.98%

FFA

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 6.01%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 23.85%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 10.38%
• 10Y*: 13.61%

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

FPEIX vs. FFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	0.36%	9.48%	10.99%	5.32%	-11.60%	4.85%	6.01%	16.93%	-4.31%	11.57%
FFA First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund	6.01%	14.23%	21.46%	24.73%	-20.26%	28.69%	10.82%	43.35%	-13.93%	28.97%

Correlation

The correlation between FPEIX and FFA is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.37

The correlation between FPEIX and FFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FPEIX vs. FFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPEIX

FPEIX Risk / Return Rank: 72
FPEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FPEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FPEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FPEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
FPEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

FFA

FFA Risk / Return Rank: 46
FFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FFA Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FFA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

FPEIX vs. FFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) and First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA). 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.

	FPEIX	FFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	2.01	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.57	2.85	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.37	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.36	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.86	11.07	-1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPEIX vs. FFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is higher than the FFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPEIX and FFA, 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

	FPEIX	FFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	2.01	+0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.60	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.69	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.43	+0.41

Drawdowns

FPEIX vs. FFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPEIX drawdown since its inception was -27.83%, smaller than the maximum FFA drawdown of -57.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPEIX and FFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPEIX	FFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.83%	-57.51%	+29.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.62%	-10.15%	+6.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.11%	-19.94%	+15.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.66%	-29.96%	+10.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.83%	-44.35%	+16.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-0.95%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-8.42%	+5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	2.16%	-1.28%

Volatility

FPEIX vs. FFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) is 0.96%, while First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA) has a volatility of 2.91%. This indicates that FPEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPEIX	FFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	2.91%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.46%	9.39%	-6.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.13%	11.96%	-8.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.25%	17.34%	-12.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.54%	19.71%	-13.17%

FPEIX vs. FFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPEIX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than FFA's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPEIX vs. FFA - Dividend Comparison

FPEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.02%, less than FFA's 6.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFA First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund	6.60%	6.70%	6.59%	6.90%	7.99%	5.92%	6.47%	6.61%	8.82%	6.83%	7.07%	7.12%
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	5.02%	5.40%	5.60%	5.17%	5.30%	4.70%	4.88%	5.36%	5.93%	5.36%	5.66%	5.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPEIX and FFA in my portfolio?

FPEIX and FFA have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPEIX or FFA?

FFA has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to FPEIX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPEIX dropped -27.83% vs FFA's -57.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.01), 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.