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PFFA vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

PFFA vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. PFFA is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFA returned 6.13%/yr vs 12.20%/yr for VTI. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFFA charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

PFFA vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFFA achieves a 1.97% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.62% return.

PFFA

1D
0.00%
1M
-2.29%
YTD
1.97%
6M
1.59%
1Y
11.48%
3Y*
13.86%
5Y*
6.13%
10Y*
—

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
0.45%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
24.78%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PFFA vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
PFFA
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF		1.97%8.22%16.11%26.45%-20.91%23.53%-7.87%31.99%-7.29%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-7.33%

Correlation

The correlation between PFFA and VTI is 0.60, 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

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.51

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018

0.54

The correlation between PFFA and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

PFFA vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
PFFA
VTI

Real Estate

40.6%
2.4%

Financial Services

27.6%
12.0%

Industrials

10.2%
9.8%

Communication Services

5.3%
10.3%

Energy

3.2%
3.7%

Technology

3.0%
33.5%

Utilities

2.3%
2.3%

Healthcare

0.9%
9.2%

Basic Materials

0.3%
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

0.2%
10.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.7%

Real Estate

PFFA
40.6%
VTI
2.4%

Financial Services

PFFA
27.6%
VTI
12.0%

Industrials

PFFA
10.2%
VTI
9.8%

Communication Services

PFFA
5.3%
VTI
10.3%

Energy

PFFA
3.2%
VTI
3.7%

Technology

PFFA
3.0%
VTI
33.5%

Utilities

PFFA
2.3%
VTI
2.3%

Healthcare

PFFA
0.9%
VTI
9.2%

Basic Materials

PFFA
0.3%
VTI
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

PFFA
0.2%
VTI
10.0%

Consumer Defensive

PFFA

-

VTI
4.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with PFFA:
PFFA vs. PFFPFFA vs. PFXFPFFA vs. PFFVPFFA vs. JEPIPFFA vs. SCHDPFFA vs. PGXPFFA vs. SPY
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

PFFA vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PFFA
PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

PFFA vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

PFFAVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.62
1.97

-0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
2.67

-0.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.35

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.78

2.79

-1.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.93

12.52

-6.59

PFFA vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFFA and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

PFFA vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFFA drawdown since its inception was -70.52%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFA and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

PFFAVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.52%

-55.45%

-15.07%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.49%

-8.92%

+2.43%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.15%

-19.30%

+7.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.70%

-25.36%

+2.66%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.00%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.56%

-2.14%

-0.42%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.63%

-8.02%

+1.39%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.94%

1.99%

-0.05%

Volatility

PFFA vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is 2.05%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that PFFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

PFFAVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.05%

4.50%

-2.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.82%

9.82%

-4.00%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

7.13%

12.64%

-5.51%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

11.52%

17.47%

-5.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.79%

18.33%

+13.46%

PFFA vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFFA has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFFA vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PFFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.72%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
PFFA
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF		9.72%9.47%9.18%9.56%10.75%7.64%8.54%10.02%5.15%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

PFFA and VTI have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to PFFA (2.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFA dropped -70.52% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 12.20% vs 6.13% for PFFA. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 12.20% return vs 6.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.

PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.72%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.

PFFA is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.47% for PFFA and 0.03% for VTI.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.62), 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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