FPEIX vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

FPEIX (First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, FPEIX returned 2.90%/yr vs 6.42%/yr for PFFA. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPEIX charges 1.00%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) 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, FPEIX achieves a 0.21% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 3.08% return.

FPEIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 0.21%
• 6M: 0.81%
• 1Y: 7.49%
• 3Y*: 9.80%
• 5Y*: 2.90%
• 10Y*: 5.00%

PFFA

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	0.21%	9.48%	10.99%	5.32%	-11.60%	4.85%	6.01%	16.93%	-2.66%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	3.08%	8.22%	16.11%	26.45%	-20.91%	23.53%	-7.87%	31.99%	-7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between FPEIX and PFFA 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	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018	0.60

The correlation between FPEIX and PFFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FPEIX vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPEIX

FPEIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
FPEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FPEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FPEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FPEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FPEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 50
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

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.

	FPEIX	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	1.77	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	2.53	+1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.33	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	1.95	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.60	6.47	+2.13

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPEIX 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.

Drawdowns

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPEIX drawdown since its inception was -27.83%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPEIX and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPEIX	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.83%	-70.52%	+42.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.62%	-6.49%	+2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.11%	-12.15%	+8.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.66%	-22.70%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	-1.50%	+0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-6.62%	+3.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	1.95%	-1.04%

Volatility

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) is 0.89%, while Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) has a volatility of 2.17%. This indicates that FPEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPEIX	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.89%	2.17%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.44%	5.89%	-3.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14%	7.13%	-3.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.25%	11.53%	-6.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.54%	31.76%	-25.22%

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPEIX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPEIX vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

FPEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.03%, less than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	5.03%	5.40%	5.60%	5.17%	5.30%	4.70%	4.88%	5.36%	5.93%	5.36%	5.66%	5.56%
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 FPEIX and PFFA in my portfolio?

FPEIX and PFFA 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, FPEIX or PFFA?

PFFA has higher volatility (2.17%) compared to FPEIX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPEIX dropped -27.83% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.77), 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.