PFFD vs. MLPA
PFFD (Global X U.S. Preferred ETF) and MLPA (Global X MLP ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFD is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index, while MLPA is a MLPs fund tracking the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFD returned -0.25%/yr vs 13.94%/yr for MLPA. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFFD charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for MLPA.
Performance
PFFD vs. MLPA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFD achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly lower than MLPA's 14.72% return.
PFFD
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 2.18%
- 6M
- 2.18%
- 1Y
- 7.82%
- 3Y*
- 5.67%
- 5Y*
- -0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
MLPA
- 1D
- -0.93%
- 1M
- -3.50%
- YTD
- 14.72%
- 6M
- 13.78%
- 1Y
- 13.99%
- 3Y*
- 16.87%
- 5Y*
- 13.94%
- 10Y*
- 6.37%
PFFD vs. MLPA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF | 2.18% | 3.22% | 7.07% | 6.85% | -20.20% | 5.07% | 8.90% | 17.43% | -3.94% | 0.69% |
MLPA Global X MLP ETF | 14.72% | 5.73% | 20.35% | 15.93% | 27.03% | 39.64% | -33.97% | 11.91% | -15.71% | -1.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFD and MLPA is 0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2017 | 0.27 |
The correlation between PFFD and MLPA shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (1 year) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFFD vs. MLPA — Risk / Return Rank
PFFD
MLPA
PFFD vs. MLPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) and Global X MLP ETF (MLPA). 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.
| PFFD | MLPA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.19 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.21 | 1.62 | -0.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.55 | 4.85 | -1.30 |
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Drawdowns
PFFD vs. MLPA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFD drawdown since its inception was -30.93%, smaller than the maximum MLPA drawdown of -78.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFD and MLPA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFD | MLPA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.93% | -78.75% | +47.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.97% | -8.33% | +2.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.84% | -14.20% | +3.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.45% | -18.75% | -5.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -74.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.78% | -4.96% | +1.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.58% | -20.24% | +13.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.03% | 2.80% | -0.77% |
Volatility
PFFD vs. MLPA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) is 2.15%, while Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) has a volatility of 4.39%. This indicates that PFFD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MLPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFD | MLPA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.15% | 4.39% | -2.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.40% | 8.56% | -3.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.29% | 11.93% | -4.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.99% | 18.19% | -7.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.74% | 27.45% | -14.71% |
PFFD vs. MLPA - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFD has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than MLPA's 0.46% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFD vs. MLPA - Dividend Comparison
PFFD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.38%, less than MLPA's 7.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLPA Global X MLP ETF | 7.36% | 7.82% | 7.25% | 7.49% | 7.30% | 8.72% | 13.84% | 9.09% | 10.00% | 8.05% | 7.15% | 9.29% |
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF | 6.38% | 6.37% | 6.42% | 6.49% | 6.63% | 5.09% | 5.17% | 5.48% | 6.21% | 1.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFD and MLPA have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MLPA has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to PFFD (2.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFD dropped -30.93% vs MLPA's -78.75%.
On 5-year performance, MLPA leads with 13.94% vs -0.25% for PFFD. On fees, PFFD is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, PFFD has been the lower-risk option at 2.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, MLPA has performed better with a 13.94% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFFD is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for MLPA.
MLPA has the higher dividend yield at 7.36%, compared with 6.38% for PFFD.
PFFD is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while MLPA is MLPs. PFFD tracks ICE BofAML Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index, while MLPA tracks Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for PFFD and 0.46% for MLPA.
MLPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.99), 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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