PFF vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFF returned 3.30%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for IWM. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFF charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

PFF vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFF achieves a 2.93% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 17.07% return. Over the past 10 years, PFF has underperformed IWM with an annualized return of 3.30%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

PFF

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 2.93%
• 6M: 3.41%
• 1Y: 9.35%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 1.50%
• 10Y*: 3.30%

IWM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.52%
• YTD: 17.07%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 39.10%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

PFF vs. IWM - 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%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	17.07%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PFF and IWM is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2007	0.55

Over the past year, PFF and IWM have become more correlated (0.76) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

PFF vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFF	IWM
Financial Services	52.3%	15.8%
Real Estate	10.7%	5.7%
Utilities	8.9%	3.0%
Industrials	5.5%	17.1%
Technology	4.4%	19.5%
Communication Services	3.5%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.6%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	1.3%	7.8%
Healthcare	1.3%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.2%	2.1%
Energy	0.4%	6.0%

Return for Risk

PFF vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 36
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 35

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 62
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PFF vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

	PFF	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.05	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.85	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	3.56	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.51	12.64	-7.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFF vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFF Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFF and IWM, 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

	PFF	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.05	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.27	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.48	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.37	-0.16

Drawdowns

PFF vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFF drawdown since its inception was -65.55%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFF and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFF	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.55%	-59.05%	-6.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.28%	-11.03%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.63%	-27.50%	+16.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.05%	-31.91%	+10.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.10%	-41.13%	+7.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.49%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.77%	-10.77%	+5.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.70%	3.10%	-1.40%

Volatility

PFF vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) is 2.09%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that PFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFF	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.09%	5.75%	-3.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.09%	13.53%	-8.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.75%	19.20%	-12.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.30%	22.52%	-12.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.66%	23.04%	-10.38%

PFF vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFF has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFF vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

PFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.47%, more than IWM's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.88%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%
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

Can I hold both PFF and IWM in my portfolio?

PFF and IWM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFF or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to PFF (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFF dropped -65.55% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, PFF or IWM?

On 10-year performance, IWM leads with 10.93% vs 3.30% for PFF. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFF or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, IWM has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 3.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFF or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for PFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PFF or IWM?

PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.47%, compared with 0.88% for IWM.

What is the main difference between PFF and IWM?

PFF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. PFF tracks S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for PFF and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.39), 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.