PFFL vs. SMHB
PFFL (ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN) and SMHB (ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B) are both exchange-traded funds - PFFL is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index, while SMHB is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive US Small Cap High Dividend Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFL returned -6.57%/yr vs -6.82%/yr for SMHB. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.
Performance
PFFL vs. SMHB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFL achieves a -1.90% return, which is significantly lower than SMHB's 7.31% return.
PFFL
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -1.40%
- YTD
- -1.90%
- 6M
- -2.44%
- 1Y
- 4.83%
- 3Y*
- 4.18%
- 5Y*
- -6.57%
- 10Y*
- —
SMHB
- 1D
- 1.24%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 7.31%
- 6M
- 8.42%
- 1Y
- 5.50%
- 3Y*
- 9.13%
- 5Y*
- -6.82%
- 10Y*
- —
PFFL vs. SMHB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | -1.90% | 2.18% | 4.77% | 8.65% | -39.15% | 7.52% | -15.47% | 30.21% | -7.22% |
SMHB ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B | 7.31% | -7.75% | -15.85% | 35.96% | -36.03% | 68.86% | -43.21% | 13.05% | -24.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFL and SMHB is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2018 | 0.44 |
The correlation between PFFL and SMHB shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFFL vs. SMHB — Risk / Return Rank
PFFL
SMHB
PFFL vs. SMHB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL) and ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB). 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 | SMHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.06 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.41 | 0.22 | +0.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.94 | 0.53 | +0.42 |
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Drawdowns
PFFL vs. SMHB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFL drawdown since its inception was -80.68%, smaller than the maximum SMHB drawdown of -90.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFL and SMHB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFL | SMHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.68% | -90.30% | +9.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.92% | -25.16% | +13.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.75% | -45.05% | +21.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.51% | -58.11% | +9.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -39.57% | -40.93% | +1.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.59% | -37.21% | +8.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.14% | 10.47% | -5.33% |
Volatility
PFFL vs. SMHB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL) is 4.10%, while ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B (SMHB) has a volatility of 8.17%. This indicates that PFFL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMHB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFL | SMHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.10% | 8.17% | -4.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.67% | 24.75% | -14.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.12% | 38.33% | -21.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.66% | 48.92% | -25.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 55.16% | 66.13% | -10.97% |
PFFL vs. SMHB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both PFFL and SMHB have an expense ratio of 0.85%.
Dividends
PFFL vs. SMHB - Dividend Comparison
PFFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.14%, less than SMHB's 21.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | 13.14% | 13.27% | 13.76% | 13.71% | 13.90% | 8.82% | 9.75% | 11.21% | 2.02% |
SMHB ETRACS 2xMonthly Pay Leveraged US Small Cap High Dividend ETN Series B | 21.04% | 22.22% | 21.95% | 15.27% | 24.18% | 12.22% | 16.86% | 19.97% | 0.91% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFL and SMHB have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMHB has higher volatility (8.17%) compared to PFFL (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFL dropped -80.68% vs SMHB's -90.30%.
On 5-year performance, PFFL leads with -6.57% vs -6.82% for SMHB. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. 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, PFFL has performed better with a -6.57% return vs -6.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFFL and SMHB have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.
SMHB has the higher dividend yield at 21.04%, compared with 13.14% for PFFL.
PFFL is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while SMHB is Leveraged Equities. PFFL tracks Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index, while SMHB tracks Solactive US Small Cap High Dividend Index (200%).
PFFL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.28 vs 0.14), 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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