PFF vs. EEM
PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFF returned 3.30%/yr vs 10.13%/yr for EEM. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFF charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.
Performance
PFF vs. EEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFF achieves a 2.93% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 30.06% return. Over the past 10 years, PFF has underperformed EEM with an annualized return of 3.30%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.13% annualized return.
PFF
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 2.93%
- 6M
- 2.33%
- 1Y
- 8.86%
- 3Y*
- 7.05%
- 5Y*
- 1.45%
- 10Y*
- 3.30%
EEM
- 1D
- 3.25%
- 1M
- 8.01%
- YTD
- 30.06%
- 6M
- 32.46%
- 1Y
- 55.79%
- 3Y*
- 22.98%
- 5Y*
- 7.98%
- 10Y*
- 10.13%
PFF vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 2.93% | 4.87% | 7.24% | 9.22% | -18.19% | 7.15% | 7.89% | 15.93% | -4.64% | 8.10% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 30.06% | 33.98% | 6.49% | 8.95% | -20.56% | -3.63% | 17.02% | 18.22% | -15.31% | 37.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFF and EEM is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2007 | 0.48 |
The correlation between PFF and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (10 years) to 0.65 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFF vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank
PFF
EEM
PFF vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.
| PFF | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.47 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.72 | 4.08 | -2.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.21 | 15.02 | -9.81 |
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Drawdowns
PFF vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFF drawdown since its inception was -65.55%, roughly equal to the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFF and EEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFF | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.55% | -66.43% | +0.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.28% | -13.52% | +8.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.63% | -17.29% | +6.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.05% | -37.49% | +16.44% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.10% | -39.82% | +5.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.11% | 0.00% | -1.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.75% | -15.99% | +10.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | 3.67% | -1.94% |
Volatility
PFF vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) is 2.08%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 11.04%. This indicates that PFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFF | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.08% | 11.04% | -8.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.28% | 19.85% | -14.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.91% | 22.01% | -15.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.33% | 19.38% | -9.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.67% | 20.69% | -8.02% |
PFF vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFF has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFF vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison
PFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, more than EEM's 1.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 1.57% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 5.47% | 6.30% | 6.32% | 6.63% | 6.01% | 4.45% | 4.79% | 5.31% | 6.32% | 5.59% | 5.85% | 5.76% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFF and EEM have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EEM has higher volatility (11.04%) compared to PFF (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFF dropped -65.55% vs EEM's -66.43%.
On 10-year performance, EEM leads with 10.13% vs 3.30% for PFF. On fees, PFF is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EEM has performed better with a 10.13% return vs 3.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFF is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.
PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.47%, compared with 1.57% for EEM.
PFF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.46% for PFF and 0.72% for EEM.
EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.31), 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.
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