PCSFX vs. HPF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PCSFX (Principal Capital Securities Fund) and HPF (John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PCSFX returned 5.44%/yr vs 4.98%/yr for HPF. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PCSFX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for HPF.

Performance

PCSFX vs. HPF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX) and John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCSFX achieves a 1.16% return, which is significantly lower than HPF's 3.68% return. Over the past 10 years, PCSFX has outperformed HPF with an annualized return of 5.44%, while HPF has yielded a comparatively lower 4.98% annualized return.

PCSFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.16%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 7.16%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: 5.44%

HPF

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 12.33%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: 4.98%

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

PCSFX vs. HPF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCSFX Principal Capital Securities Fund	1.16%	8.96%	12.15%	6.82%	-11.35%	3.74%	7.71%	17.41%	-4.61%	11.57%
HPF John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II	3.68%	6.34%	14.41%	10.78%	-18.44%	17.90%	-7.67%	27.95%	-5.38%	14.74%

Correlation

The correlation between PCSFX and HPF is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2014	0.31

Return for Risk

PCSFX vs. HPF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCSFX

PCSFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PCSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PCSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
PCSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PCSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PCSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

HPF

HPF Risk / Return Rank: 26
HPF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
HPF Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
HPF Omega Ratio Rank: 31
HPF Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
HPF Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

PCSFX vs. HPF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX) and John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF). 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.

	PCSFX	HPF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.39	1.53	+1.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.03	2.32	+2.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.91	1.29	+0.62
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	1.63	+0.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	5.13	+5.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCSFX vs. HPF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCSFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.39, which is higher than the HPF Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCSFX and HPF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PCSFX	HPF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.39	1.53	+1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.21	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.08	0.23	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.27	+0.85

Drawdowns

PCSFX vs. HPF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCSFX drawdown since its inception was -22.42%, smaller than the maximum HPF drawdown of -66.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCSFX and HPF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCSFX	HPF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.42%	-66.73%	+44.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.97%	-7.18%	+4.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.97%	-16.91%	+13.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.67%	-31.24%	+12.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.42%	-54.76%	+32.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-1.86%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.48%	-8.52%	+6.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	2.28%	-1.62%

Volatility

PCSFX vs. HPF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX) is 0.68%, while John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF) has a volatility of 3.09%. This indicates that PCSFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HPF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCSFX	HPF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.68%	3.09%	-2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.87%	6.55%	-4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13%	8.11%	-5.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.28%	15.50%	-11.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.05%	22.08%	-17.03%

PCSFX vs. HPF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCSFX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than HPF's 0.01% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PCSFX vs. HPF - Dividend Comparison

PCSFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.69%, less than HPF's 9.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HPF John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II	9.25%	9.22%	8.95%	9.39%	9.45%	7.10%	7.80%	7.32%	8.96%	7.82%	8.30%	7.85%
PCSFX Principal Capital Securities Fund	5.69%	5.80%	5.50%	5.75%	5.68%	4.57%	4.88%	5.43%	6.07%	5.14%	5.08%	5.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCSFX and HPF in my portfolio?

PCSFX and HPF have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCSFX or HPF?

HPF has higher volatility (3.09%) compared to PCSFX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCSFX dropped -22.42% vs HPF's -66.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 1.53), 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.