KMID vs. PFFA

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

KMID (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KMID is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while PFFA is a Preferred Stock fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KMID returned 3.51% vs 6.81% for PFFA. Their 0.43 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. KMID charges 0.80%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

KMID vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KMID achieves a 5.02% return, which is significantly higher than PFFA's 2.62% return.

KMID

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.97%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 1.19%

PFFA

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: 1.21%
• YTD: 2.62%
• 1Y: 6.81%
• 3Y*: 12.16%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.38%

*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)
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	$368.95K	$294.28K	$236.43K
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	$15.28M	$16.87M	$20.10M

KMID vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	5.02%	0.31%	-3.02%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	2.62%	8.22%	-3.09%

Correlation

The correlation between KMID and PFFA is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2024	0.43

Return for Risk

KMID vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

KMID

KMID Risk / Return Rank: 15
KMID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
KMID Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
KMID Omega Ratio Rank: 14
KMID Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
KMID Martin Ratio Rank: 16

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 31
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

KMID vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). 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.

	KMID	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.24	0.90	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	1.30	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.16	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.33	1.05	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.95	3.03	-2.08

KMID vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KMID Sharpe Ratio is 0.24, which is lower than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KMID and PFFA, 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

KMID vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KMID drawdown since its inception was -18.89%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMID and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	KMID	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.89%	-70.52%	+51.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-6.49%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.15%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-1.93%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-6.57%	+0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	2.25%	+1.47%

Volatility

KMID vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF (KMID) has a higher volatility of 3.91% compared to Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) at 2.33%. This indicates that KMID's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KMID	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	2.33%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	6.53%	+5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.90%	7.64%	+7.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.74%	11.61%	+5.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	31.54%	-14.80%

KMID vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

KMID has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

KMID vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

KMID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than PFFA's 9.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KMID Virtus KAR Mid-Cap ETF	0.11%	0.06%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	9.84%	9.47%	9.18%	9.56%	10.75%	7.64%	8.54%	10.02%	5.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KMID and PFFA in my portfolio?

KMID and PFFA 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, KMID or PFFA?

KMID has higher volatility (3.91%) compared to PFFA (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMID dropped -18.89% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which ETF is better, KMID or PFFA?

On 1-year performance, PFFA leads with 6.81% vs 3.51% for KMID. On fees, KMID is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KMID or PFFA?

Over the 1-year period, PFFA has performed better with a 6.81% return vs 3.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KMID or PFFA?

KMID is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KMID or PFFA?

PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.84%, compared with 0.11% for KMID.

What is the main difference between KMID and PFFA?

KMID is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while PFFA is Preferred Stock. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for KMID and 1.47% for PFFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 vs 0.24), 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.