NPSRX vs. FPEIX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NPSRX (Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund) and FPEIX (First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund) are both Preferred Stock funds. Over the past 10 years, NPSRX returned 4.99%/yr vs 4.72%/yr for FPEIX. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NPSRX charges 0.74%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for FPEIX.

Performance

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX) and First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NPSRX achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly higher than FPEIX's 0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, NPSRX has outperformed FPEIX with an annualized return of 4.99%, while FPEIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.72% annualized return.

NPSRX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -0.36%
• 6M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 1Y: 6.02%
• 3Y*: 9.13%
• 5Y*: 3.36%
• 10Y*: 4.99%
• ALL TIME*: 5.23%

FPEIX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: -0.41%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 1Y: 4.98%
• 3Y*: 8.81%
• 5Y*: 2.61%
• 10Y*: 4.72%
• ALL TIME*: 5.20%

*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)
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
NPSRX Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NPSRX Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund	0.93%	11.19%	9.12%	6.19%	-9.50%	5.43%	5.53%	17.68%	-5.65%	11.27%
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	0.24%	9.48%	10.99%	5.32%	-11.60%	4.85%	6.01%	16.93%	-4.31%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between NPSRX and FPEIX is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2011	0.77

The correlation between NPSRX and FPEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NPSRX vs. FPEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NPSRX

NPSRX Risk / Return Rank: 69
NPSRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
NPSRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NPSRX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NPSRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
NPSRX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

FPEIX

FPEIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
FPEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FPEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FPEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
FPEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FPEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX) and First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX). 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.

	NPSRX	FPEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.64	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	2.59	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.35	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	1.42	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.95	5.15	+1.80

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NPSRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the FPEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NPSRX and FPEIX, 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

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPSRX drawdown since its inception was -62.52%, which is greater than FPEIX's maximum drawdown of -27.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPSRX and FPEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPSRX	FPEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.52%	-27.83%	-34.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.30%	-3.62%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.60%	-4.11%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.65%	-19.66%	+2.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.47%	-27.83%	+1.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.94%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.78%	-2.84%	-1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.98%	-0.11%

Volatility

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund (NPSRX) and First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund (FPEIX) have volatilities of 0.84% and 0.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NPSRX	FPEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.84%	0.85%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.49%	2.51%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08%	3.20%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.00%	5.26%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.31%	6.53%	-0.22%

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NPSRX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than FPEIX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

NPSRX vs. FPEIX - Dividend Comparison

NPSRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, more than FPEIX's 5.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPEIX First Trust Preferred Securities and Income Fund	5.08%	5.40%	5.60%	5.17%	5.30%	4.70%	4.88%	5.36%	5.93%	5.36%	5.66%	5.56%
NPSRX Nuveen Preferred Securities & Income Fund	5.46%	5.72%	5.38%	5.87%	6.18%	4.97%	5.02%	5.39%	6.00%	5.51%	5.81%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NPSRX and FPEIX in my portfolio?

NPSRX and FPEIX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NPSRX or FPEIX?

FPEIX has higher volatility (0.85%) compared to NPSRX (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NPSRX dropped -62.52% vs FPEIX's -27.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPSRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.64), 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.