PFFA vs. VYM
PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. PFFA is actively managed, while VYM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFA returned 6.42%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VYM. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFFA charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
PFFA vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFA achieves a 3.08% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 11.57% return.
PFFA
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- -0.14%
- YTD
- 3.08%
- 6M
- 2.32%
- 1Y
- 12.59%
- 3Y*
- 14.42%
- 5Y*
- 6.42%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 1.56%
- YTD
- 11.57%
- 6M
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 25.29%
- 3Y*
- 17.42%
- 5Y*
- 12.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.78%
PFFA vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 3.08% | 8.22% | 16.11% | 26.45% | -20.91% | 23.53% | -7.87% | 31.99% | -7.29% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.57% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -4.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFA and VYM is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.51 |
The correlation between PFFA and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFFA vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
PFFA
VYM
PFFA vs. VYM - 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 High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.44 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 3.79 | -1.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.47 | 14.13 | -7.66 |
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Drawdowns
PFFA vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFA drawdown since its inception was -70.52%, which is greater than VYM's maximum drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFA and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFA | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.52% | -56.98% | -13.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.49% | -6.69% | +0.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.15% | -14.46% | +2.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.70% | -15.84% | -6.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.21% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.50% | -1.23% | -0.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.62% | -7.18% | +0.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.95% | 1.79% | +0.16% |
Volatility
PFFA vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is 2.17%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 3.06%. This indicates that PFFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFA | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.17% | 3.06% | -0.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.89% | 7.65% | -1.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.13% | 10.39% | -3.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.53% | 13.95% | -2.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.76% | 16.35% | +15.41% |
PFFA vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFA has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFA vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
PFFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.62%, more than VYM's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 9.62% | 9.47% | 9.18% | 9.56% | 10.75% | 7.64% | 8.54% | 10.02% | 5.15% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.84% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFA and VYM have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to PFFA (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFA dropped -70.52% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 5-year performance, VYM leads with 12.42% vs 6.42% for PFFA. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, PFFA has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VYM has performed better with a 12.42% return vs 6.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.
PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.62%, compared with 2.84% for VYM.
PFFA is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.47% for PFFA and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.77), 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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