IG vs. PQDI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IG (Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF) and PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IG is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while PQDI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index. IG is actively managed, while PQDI is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IG charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PQDI.

Performance

IG vs. PQDI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) and Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IG

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PQDI

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.48%
• 1Y: 6.70%
• 3Y*: 9.19%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

IG vs. PQDI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	-0.03%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between IG and PQDI is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2026	0.86

Return for Risk

IG vs. PQDI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

PQDI

PQDI Risk / Return Rank: 61
PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PQDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
PQDI Omega Ratio Rank: 77
PQDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
PQDI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

IG vs. PQDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) and Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI). 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.

	IG	PQDI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.06	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.00	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.44	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.03	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	8.98	—

Drawdowns

IG vs. PQDI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IG drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum PQDI drawdown of -17.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IG and PQDI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IG	PQDI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-17.41%	+15.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-3.31%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.31%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.32%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-3.48%	+3.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.75%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IG	PQDI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.88%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.85%	3.28%	+1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.85%	4.70%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.85%	4.55%	+0.30%

IG vs. PQDI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IG has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than PQDI's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IG vs. PQDI - Dividend Comparison

IG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than PQDI's 5.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.45%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IG and PQDI in my portfolio?

IG and PQDI have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IG or PQDI?

On fees, IG is cheaper at 0.26% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IG or PQDI?

IG is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IG or PQDI?

PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.45%, compared with 0.84% for IG.

What is the main difference between IG and PQDI?

IG is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while PQDI is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for IG and 0.60% for PQDI.