IDV vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend, while PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDV returned 10.33%/yr vs 3.27%/yr for PFF. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDV charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

IDV vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDV achieves a 10.84% return, which is significantly higher than PFF's 2.07% return. Over the past 10 years, IDV has outperformed PFF with an annualized return of 10.33%, while PFF has yielded a comparatively lower 3.27% annualized return.

IDV

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 33.84%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

PFF

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: 2.07%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 8.08%
• 3Y*: 6.61%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: 3.27%

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

IDV vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	10.84%	52.16%	4.00%	10.32%	-6.40%	12.00%	-5.94%	23.56%	-10.37%	19.74%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	2.07%	4.87%	7.24%	9.22%	-18.19%	7.15%	7.89%	15.93%	-4.64%	8.10%

Correlation

The correlation between IDV and PFF is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2007	0.51

The correlation between IDV and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDV vs. PFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDV	PFF
Financial Services	30.1%	51.6%
Energy	15.6%	0.4%
Utilities	11.8%	8.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	1.2%
Industrials	6.7%	5.6%
Basic Materials	5.8%	1.6%
Real Estate	2.4%	10.5%
Technology	0.9%	4.9%
Healthcare	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

IDV vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDV

IDV Risk / Return Rank: 84
IDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
IDV Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IDV Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 35
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

IDV vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) 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.

	IDV	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	1.19	+1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	1.71	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.21	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	1.54	+2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.00	4.73	+10.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDV vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is higher than the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDV and PFF, 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

	IDV	PFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	1.19	+1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.13	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.26	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.21	+0.01

Drawdowns

IDV vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDV drawdown since its inception was -70.14%, which is greater than PFF's maximum drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDV and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDV	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.14%	-65.55%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.52%	-5.28%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.86%	-10.63%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.19%	-21.05%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.50%	-34.10%	-8.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-1.93%	-2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.39%	-5.76%	-9.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	1.71%	+0.55%

Volatility

IDV vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) has a higher volatility of 3.91% compared to iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) at 2.20%. This indicates that IDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDV	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	2.20%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.71%	5.17%	+5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.96%	6.84%	+6.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.56%	10.31%	+5.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	12.67%	+5.27%

IDV vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDV has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDV vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

IDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.51%, less than PFF's 5.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	4.51%	4.94%	6.46%	6.51%	7.33%	5.78%	5.47%	5.15%	5.93%	4.52%	4.69%	5.08%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.52%	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

Can I hold both IDV and PFF in my portfolio?

IDV and PFF have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDV or PFF?

IDV has higher volatility (3.91%) compared to PFF (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDV dropped -70.14% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, IDV or PFF?

On 10-year performance, IDV leads with 10.33% vs 3.27% for PFF. On fees, PFF is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDV or PFF?

Over the 10-year period, IDV has performed better with a 10.33% return vs 3.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDV or PFF?

PFF is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for IDV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDV or PFF?

PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.52%, compared with 4.51% for IDV.

What is the main difference between IDV and PFF?

IDV is categorized as Global Equities, while PFF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend, while PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for IDV and 0.46% for PFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.19), 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.