JHPI vs. PQDI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

JHPI (John Hancock Preferred Income ETF) and PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock funds. JHPI is actively managed, while PQDI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JHPI returned 8.56%/yr vs 8.35%/yr for PQDI. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. JHPI charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PQDI.

Performance

JHPI vs. PQDI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHPI achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly higher than PQDI's 1.64% return.

JHPI

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -0.11%
• 6M: 0.77%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.71%

PQDI

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.49%
• 6M: 0.81%
• YTD: 1.64%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	$1.07M	$1.09M	$1.18M
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	$177.34K	$147.13K	$128.06K

JHPI vs. PQDI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	1.91%	7.37%	10.54%	7.25%	-9.55%	0.88%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	1.64%	8.46%	9.99%	6.24%	-9.61%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between JHPI and PQDI is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2021	0.69

The correlation between JHPI and PQDI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JHPI vs. PQDI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JHPI

JHPI Risk / Return Rank: 59
JHPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
JHPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
JHPI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
JHPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
JHPI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

PQDI

PQDI Risk / Return Rank: 60
PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PQDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PQDI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
PQDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
PQDI Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JHPI vs. PQDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI) 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.

	JHPI	PQDI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.58	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.29	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	1.61	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.42	6.88	-0.46

JHPI vs. PQDI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the PQDI Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHPI and PQDI, 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

JHPI vs. PQDI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHPI drawdown since its inception was -13.45%, smaller than the maximum PQDI drawdown of -17.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHPI and PQDI.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHPI	PQDI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.45%	-17.41%	+3.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.08%	-3.31%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.25%	-3.31%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.59%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-3.42%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.77%	+0.07%

Volatility

JHPI vs. PQDI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI) is 0.83%, while Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) has a volatility of 0.91%. This indicates that JHPI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PQDI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHPI	PQDI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.83%	0.91%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.61%	2.94%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.38%	3.37%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.21%	4.71%	+1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.21%	4.52%	+1.69%

JHPI vs. PQDI - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHPI has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than PQDI's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHPI vs. PQDI - Dividend Comparison

JHPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.88%, more than PQDI's 5.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	5.88%	5.73%	6.32%	6.44%	6.27%	0.24%	0.00%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.68%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHPI and PQDI in my portfolio?

JHPI and PQDI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHPI or PQDI?

PQDI has higher volatility (0.91%) compared to JHPI (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHPI dropped -13.45% vs PQDI's -17.41%.

Which ETF is better, JHPI or PQDI?

On 3-year performance, JHPI leads with 8.56% vs 8.35% for PQDI. On fees, JHPI is cheaper at 0.54% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHPI or PQDI?

Over the 3-year period, JHPI has performed better with a 8.56% return vs 8.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHPI or PQDI?

JHPI is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

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

JHPI has the higher dividend yield at 5.88%, compared with 5.68% for PQDI.

What is the main difference between JHPI and PQDI?

They also come from different issuers: John Hancock and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for JHPI and 0.60% for PQDI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHPI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.58), 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.