PFFA vs. XYLD
PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) and XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while XYLD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index. PFFA is actively managed, while XYLD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFA returned 6.42%/yr vs 7.73%/yr for XYLD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFFA charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XYLD.
Performance
PFFA vs. XYLD - 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 XYLD's 5.52% return.
PFFA
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- -0.14%
- YTD
- 3.08%
- 6M
- 2.32%
- 1Y
- 12.59%
- 3Y*
- 14.42%
- 5Y*
- 6.42%
- 10Y*
- —
XYLD
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- YTD
- 5.52%
- 6M
- 5.95%
- 1Y
- 17.23%
- 3Y*
- 11.48%
- 5Y*
- 7.73%
- 10Y*
- 8.33%
PFFA vs. XYLD - 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% |
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | 5.52% | 8.02% | 19.49% | 11.10% | -12.05% | 19.59% | -0.56% | 21.41% | -7.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFA and XYLD is 0.57, 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 | 0.57 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.45 |
The correlation between PFFA and XYLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (3 years) to 0.57 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFFA vs. XYLD — Risk / Return Rank
PFFA
XYLD
PFFA vs. XYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). 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 | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.59 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 3.27 | -1.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.47 | 17.16 | -10.69 |
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Drawdowns
PFFA vs. XYLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFA drawdown since its inception was -70.52%, which is greater than XYLD's maximum drawdown of -33.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFA and XYLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFA | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.52% | -33.46% | -37.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.49% | -5.29% | -1.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.15% | -15.53% | +3.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.70% | -18.66% | -4.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.50% | 0.00% | -1.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.62% | -3.71% | -2.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.95% | 1.01% | +0.94% |
Volatility
PFFA vs. XYLD - Volatility Comparison
Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) have volatilities of 2.17% and 2.21%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFA | XYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.17% | 2.21% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.89% | 5.76% | +0.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.13% | 6.80% | +0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.53% | 11.26% | +0.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.76% | 14.22% | +17.54% |
PFFA vs. XYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFA has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than XYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFA vs. XYLD - Dividend Comparison
PFFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.62%, less than XYLD's 10.46% 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% |
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | 10.46% | 10.51% | 11.54% | 10.51% | 13.43% | 9.07% | 7.93% | 5.76% | 7.12% | 5.18% | 3.23% | 4.65% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFA and XYLD have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XYLD has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to PFFA (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFA dropped -70.52% vs XYLD's -33.46%.
On 5-year performance, XYLD leads with 7.73% vs 6.42% for PFFA. On fees, XYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, XYLD has performed better with a 7.73% return vs 6.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.
XYLD has the higher dividend yield at 10.46%, compared with 9.62% for PFFA.
PFFA is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while XYLD is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Global X. Their fees differ too: 1.47% for PFFA and 0.60% for XYLD.
XYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 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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