PFFA vs. PFXF
PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) and PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. PFFA is actively managed, while PFXF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFA returned 6.09%/yr vs 3.74%/yr for PFXF. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFFA charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for PFXF.
Performance
PFFA vs. PFXF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFA achieves a 2.26% return, which is significantly lower than PFXF's 5.24% return.
PFFA
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- -0.23%
- YTD
- 2.26%
- 6M
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 11.54%
- 3Y*
- 14.10%
- 5Y*
- 6.09%
- 10Y*
- —
PFXF
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -1.17%
- YTD
- 5.24%
- 6M
- 4.73%
- 1Y
- 15.10%
- 3Y*
- 9.41%
- 5Y*
- 3.74%
- 10Y*
- 5.12%
PFFA vs. PFXF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 2.26% | 8.22% | 16.11% | 26.45% | -20.91% | 23.53% | -7.87% | 31.99% | -7.29% |
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 5.24% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 11.20% | -18.83% | 11.61% | 7.61% | 20.52% | -3.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFA and PFXF is 0.69, 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 | 0.69 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.72 |
The correlation between PFFA and PFXF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFFA vs. PFXF — Risk / Return Rank
PFFA
PFXF
PFFA vs. PFXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF). 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.
| PFFA | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.28 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.79 | 2.60 | -0.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.90 | 8.59 | -2.69 |
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Drawdowns
PFFA vs. PFXF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFA drawdown since its inception was -70.52%, which is greater than PFXF's maximum drawdown of -35.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFA and PFXF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFA | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.52% | -35.49% | -35.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.49% | -5.83% | -0.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.15% | -11.90% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.70% | -21.80% | -0.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.49% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.28% | -3.96% | +1.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.62% | -3.90% | -2.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.96% | 1.76% | +0.20% |
Volatility
PFFA vs. PFXF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is 2.13%, while VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) has a volatility of 3.71%. This indicates that PFFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFXF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFA | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.13% | 3.71% | -1.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.91% | 7.33% | -1.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.16% | 9.42% | -2.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.54% | 11.00% | +0.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.74% | 13.25% | +18.49% |
PFFA vs. PFXF - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFA has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than PFXF's 0.41% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFA vs. PFXF - Dividend Comparison
PFFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.79%, more than PFXF's 6.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 9.79% | 9.47% | 9.18% | 9.56% | 10.75% | 7.64% | 8.54% | 10.02% | 5.15% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.27% | 6.72% | 7.82% | 7.88% | 6.74% | 4.66% | 5.19% | 5.35% | 6.56% | 5.93% | 5.81% | 5.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFA and PFXF have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFXF has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to PFFA (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFA dropped -70.52% vs PFXF's -35.49%.
On 5-year performance, PFFA leads with 6.09% vs 3.74% for PFXF. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, PFFA has performed better with a 6.09% return vs 3.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFXF is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.
PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.79%, compared with 6.27% for PFXF.
They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.47% for PFFA and 0.41% for PFXF.
PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.61), 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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