GPRF vs. PREF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GPRF (Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF) and PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. GPRF is passively managed, while PREF is actively managed. Over the past year, GPRF returned 6.57% vs 6.65% for PREF. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GPRF charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PREF.

Performance

GPRF vs. PREF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF (GPRF) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GPRF achieves a 1.33% return, which is significantly lower than PREF's 1.65% return.

GPRF

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 6.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PREF

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 6.65%
• 3Y*: 9.25%
• 5Y*: 3.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

GPRF vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GPRF Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF	1.33%	6.17%	2.34%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	1.65%	7.64%	3.38%

Correlation

The correlation between GPRF and PREF is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2024	0.42

GPRF vs. PREF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GPRF	PREF
Financial Services	20.6%	100.0%
Real Estate	3.4%	-
Utilities	2.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

GPRF vs. PREF — Risk / Return Rank

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

GPRF

GPRF Risk / Return Rank: 49
GPRF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
GPRF Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
GPRF Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GPRF Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GPRF Martin Ratio Rank: 46

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 64
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

GPRF vs. PREF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF (GPRF) 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.

	GPRF	PREF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.16	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.10	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.45	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	2.32	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.51	12.09	-4.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GPRF vs. PREF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GPRF Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the PREF Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GPRF and PREF, 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

	GPRF	PREF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	2.16	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.37	0.66	+0.71

Drawdowns

GPRF vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GPRF drawdown since its inception was -4.36%, smaller than the maximum PREF drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GPRF and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	GPRF	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.36%	-22.99%	+18.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.20%	-2.88%	-1.32%
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	-0.78%	-0.13%	-0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-3.66%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.55%	+0.33%

Volatility

GPRF vs. PREF - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF (GPRF) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) at 0.69%. This indicates that GPRF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PREF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GPRF	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	0.69%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.13%	2.51%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.76%	3.09%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.94%	4.87%	-0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.94%	6.30%	-2.36%

GPRF vs. PREF - Expense Ratio Comparison

GPRF has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than PREF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

GPRF vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

GPRF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.65%, more than PREF's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GPRF Goldman Sachs Access U.S. Preferred Stock and Hybrid Securities ETF	5.65%	5.38%	2.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.16%	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 GPRF and PREF in my portfolio?

GPRF and PREF have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GPRF or PREF?

GPRF has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to PREF (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GPRF dropped -4.36% vs PREF's -22.99%.

Which ETF is better, GPRF or PREF?

On 1-year performance, PREF leads with 6.65% vs 6.57% for GPRF. On fees, GPRF is cheaper at 0.45% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GPRF or PREF?

Over the 1-year period, PREF has performed better with a 6.65% return vs 6.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GPRF or PREF?

GPRF is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PREF.

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

GPRF has the higher dividend yield at 5.65%, compared with 5.16% for PREF.

What is the main difference between GPRF and PREF?

They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GPRF and 0.55% for PREF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.76), 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.