HPI vs. PFD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HPI (John Hancock Preferred Income Fund) and PFD (Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, HPI returned 4.80%/yr vs 3.85%/yr for PFD. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HPI charges 0.01%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for PFD.

Performance

HPI vs. PFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) and Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund (PFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HPI achieves a 2.76% return, which is significantly higher than PFD's 0.08% return. Over the past 10 years, HPI has outperformed PFD with an annualized return of 4.80%, while PFD has yielded a comparatively lower 3.85% annualized return.

HPI

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 2.76%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 10.51%
• 3Y*: 13.16%
• 5Y*: 2.76%
• 10Y*: 4.80%

PFD

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 0.08%
• 6M: 0.34%
• 1Y: 10.75%
• 3Y*: 12.83%
• 5Y*: -0.65%
• 10Y*: 3.85%

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

HPI vs. PFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HPI John Hancock Preferred Income Fund	2.76%	6.54%	14.95%	8.34%	-15.79%	13.16%	-7.02%	30.89%	-4.79%	13.78%
PFD Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund	0.08%	12.96%	21.69%	-4.87%	-31.92%	-2.03%	29.67%	43.46%	-17.25%	10.69%

Correlation

The correlation between HPI and PFD is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2003	0.36

Return for Risk

HPI vs. PFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

HPI

HPI Risk / Return Rank: 17
HPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
HPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
HPI Omega Ratio Rank: 21
HPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
HPI Martin Ratio Rank: 12

PFD

PFD Risk / Return Rank: 20
PFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PFD Omega Ratio Rank: 24
PFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PFD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

HPI vs. PFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) and Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund (PFD). 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.

	HPI	PFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	1.24	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	1.65	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.24	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	1.34	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.09	4.30	-1.21

HPI vs. PFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is comparable to the PFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HPI and PFD, 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

HPI vs. PFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HPI drawdown since its inception was -67.67%, smaller than the maximum PFD drawdown of -81.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HPI and PFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	HPI	PFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.67%	-81.70%	+14.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-8.05%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.91%	-14.29%	-4.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.10%	-45.60%	+15.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.99%	-53.39%	-4.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.99%	-20.51%	+17.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.45%	-17.23%	+8.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	2.51%	+0.90%

Volatility

HPI vs. PFD - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) has a higher volatility of 2.80% compared to Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund (PFD) at 1.41%. This indicates that HPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HPI	PFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	1.41%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.49%	6.74%	+0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.09%	8.72%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	16.46%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.32%	23.49%	+0.83%

HPI vs. PFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

HPI has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PFD's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

HPI vs. PFD - Dividend Comparison

HPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.26%, more than PFD's 7.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HPI John Hancock Preferred Income Fund	9.26%	9.15%	8.91%	9.39%	9.23%	7.14%	7.53%	7.69%	8.92%	7.84%	8.26%	7.69%
PFD Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund	7.03%	6.47%	6.46%	6.94%	7.97%	5.82%	5.09%	5.85%	8.14%	6.85%	7.44%	8.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HPI and PFD in my portfolio?

HPI and PFD have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HPI or PFD?

HPI has higher volatility (2.80%) compared to PFD (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HPI dropped -67.67% vs PFD's -81.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.16), 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.