PFFL vs. GLDI
PFFL (ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN) and GLDI (UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFL is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index, while GLDI is a Gold fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFL returned -6.81%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for GLDI. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFFL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for GLDI.
Performance
PFFL vs. GLDI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFL achieves a -3.27% return, which is significantly higher than GLDI's -6.41% return.
PFFL
- 1D
- -1.16%
- 1M
- -3.46%
- 6M
- -7.41%
- YTD
- -3.27%
- 1Y
- -0.36%
- 3Y*
- 3.48%
- 5Y*
- -6.81%
- 10Y*
- —
GLDI
- 1D
- -1.34%
- 1M
- -6.34%
- 6M
- -9.33%
- YTD
- -6.41%
- 1Y
- 9.48%
- 3Y*
- 15.87%
- 5Y*
- 10.09%
- 10Y*
- 7.63%
PFFL vs. GLDI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | -3.27% | 2.18% | 4.77% | 8.65% | -39.15% | 7.52% | -15.47% | 30.21% | -10.77% |
GLDI UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 | -6.41% | 34.25% | 17.76% | 8.93% | -1.11% | -3.42% | 23.50% | 14.40% | 6.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFL and GLDI is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2018 | 0.17 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PFFL vs. GLDI — Risk / Return Rank
PFFL
GLDI
PFFL vs. GLDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL) and UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 (GLDI). 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.
| PFFL | GLDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.13 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.03 | 0.60 | -0.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.06 | 1.70 | -1.77 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PFFL vs. GLDI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFL drawdown since its inception was -80.68%, which is greater than GLDI's maximum drawdown of -32.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFL and GLDI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PFFL | GLDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.68% | -32.26% | -48.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.92% | -15.81% | +3.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.75% | -15.81% | -7.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.51% | -15.81% | -32.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -15.81% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -40.41% | -15.06% | -25.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.68% | -13.99% | -14.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.63% | 5.58% | +0.05% |
Volatility
PFFL vs. GLDI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL) is 4.10%, while UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 (GLDI) has a volatility of 5.81%. This indicates that PFFL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLDI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PFFL | GLDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.10% | 5.81% | -1.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.00% | 15.32% | -4.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.37% | 16.52% | -0.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.70% | 11.77% | +11.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 54.95% | 11.62% | +43.33% |
PFFL vs. GLDI - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDI's 0.65% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFL vs. GLDI - Dividend Comparison
PFFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.72%, less than GLDI's 27.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDI UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 | 27.23% | 16.15% | 10.45% | 10.02% | 13.73% | 10.65% | 14.25% | 7.25% | 5.33% | 7.77% | 17.26% | 10.07% |
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | 12.72% | 13.27% | 13.76% | 13.71% | 13.90% | 8.82% | 9.75% | 11.21% | 2.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFL and GLDI have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLDI has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to PFFL (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFL dropped -80.68% vs GLDI's -32.26%.
On 5-year performance, GLDI leads with 10.09% vs -6.81% for PFFL. On fees, GLDI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, PFFL has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GLDI has performed better with a 10.09% return vs -6.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLDI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for PFFL.
GLDI has the higher dividend yield at 27.23%, compared with 12.72% for PFFL.
PFFL is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while GLDI is Gold. PFFL tracks Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index, while GLDI tracks Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for PFFL and 0.65% for GLDI.
GLDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.58 vs -0.02), 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.
Find the right allocation for PFFL and GLDI
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer