GYLD vs. PFF
GYLD (Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GYLD is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the DJ Brookfield Global Infrastructure Composite Yield, while PFF is a Preferred Stock fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GYLD returned 4.43%/yr vs 2.99%/yr for PFF. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GYLD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.
Performance
GYLD vs. PFF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GYLD achieves a 10.90% return, which is significantly higher than PFF's 1.86% return. Over the past 10 years, GYLD has outperformed PFF with an annualized return of 4.43%, while PFF has yielded a comparatively lower 2.99% annualized return.
GYLD
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- 6M
- 9.43%
- YTD
- 10.90%
- 1Y
- 17.18%
- 3Y*
- 14.31%
- 5Y*
- 7.46%
- 10Y*
- 4.43%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.36%
PFF
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- 0.93%
- 6M
- -0.32%
- YTD
- 1.86%
- 1Y
- 4.05%
- 3Y*
- 6.21%
- 5Y*
- 0.85%
- 10Y*
- 2.99%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.77%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $202.70K | $255.16K | $224.57K | |
| $86.37M | $81.59M | $92.47M |
GYLD vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GYLD Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF | 10.90% | 19.85% | 3.83% | 10.36% | -7.73% | 18.03% | -11.17% | 13.29% | -9.97% | 4.33% |
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 1.86% | 4.87% | 7.24% | 9.22% | -18.19% | 7.15% | 7.89% | 15.93% | -4.64% | 8.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between GYLD and PFF is 0.24, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2012 | 0.36 |
The correlation between GYLD and PFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (3 years) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GYLD vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank
GYLD
PFF
GYLD vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). 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.
| GYLD | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.10 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.55 | 0.77 | +2.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.98 | 1.98 | +8.01 |
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Drawdowns
GYLD vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GYLD drawdown since its inception was -55.03%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GYLD and PFF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GYLD | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.03% | -65.55% | +10.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.86% | -5.28% | +0.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.24% | -10.63% | +2.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.37% | -21.05% | +1.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.89% | -34.10% | -13.79% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -2.13% | +1.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.25% | -5.74% | -8.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | 2.05% | -0.32% |
Volatility
GYLD vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) is 2.48%, while iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that GYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GYLD | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.48% | 2.77% | -0.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.82% | 5.95% | +2.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.45% | 7.38% | +5.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.81% | 10.42% | +3.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.48% | 12.71% | +3.77% |
GYLD vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison
GYLD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.
Dividends
GYLD vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison
GYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.20%, more than PFF's 5.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GYLD Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF | 7.20% | 8.43% | 12.90% | 7.13% | 4.64% | 5.50% | 7.42% | 5.83% | 8.17% | 6.78% | 7.29% | 10.35% |
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 5.41% | 6.30% | 6.32% | 6.63% | 6.01% | 4.45% | 4.79% | 5.31% | 6.32% | 5.59% | 5.85% | 5.76% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GYLD and PFF have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFF has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to GYLD (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GYLD dropped -55.03% vs PFF's -65.55%.
On 10-year performance, GYLD leads with 4.43% vs 2.99% for PFF. On fees, PFF is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, GYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GYLD has performed better with a 4.43% return vs 2.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFF is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GYLD.
GYLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.20%, compared with 5.41% for PFF.
GYLD is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while PFF is Preferred Stock. GYLD tracks DJ Brookfield Global Infrastructure Composite Yield, while PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: Arrow Funds and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GYLD and 0.46% for PFF.
GYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.55), 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.
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