IG vs. PREF

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

IG (Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF) and PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IG is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while PREF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. Both are actively managed. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IG charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PREF.

Performance

IG vs. PREF - 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 Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IG

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PREF

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.13%
• 1Y: 6.22%
• 3Y*: 9.35%
• 5Y*: 3.10%
• 10Y*: —

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

IG vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.58%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	0.68%

Correlation

The correlation between IG and PREF is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2026	0.80

Return for Risk

IG vs. PREF — 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.

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 68
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. PREF - 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 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.

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	PREF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.01	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.88	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.41	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.17	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.27	—

Drawdowns

IG vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IG drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum PREF drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IG and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IG	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-22.99%	+21.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.88%	—
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.44%	-3.64%	+3.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.55%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IG	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.67%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.51%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.88%	3.12%	+1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	4.87%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	6.28%	-1.40%

IG vs. PREF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IG has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than PREF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

IG vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

IG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than PREF's 5.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.13%	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 IG and PREF in my portfolio?

IG and PREF have a correlation of 0.80, 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 PREF?

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 PREF?

IG is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PREF.

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

PREF has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 0.84% for IG.

What is the main difference between IG and PREF?

IG is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while PREF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for IG and 0.55% for PREF.