PFFV vs. PQDI
PFFV (Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF) and PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - PFFV tracks the ICE U.S. Variable Rate Preferred Securities Index while PQDI tracks the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFFV returned 1.93%/yr vs 3.20%/yr for PQDI. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFFV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PQDI.
Performance
PFFV vs. PQDI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFFV achieves a 2.21% return, which is significantly higher than PQDI's 1.61% return.
PFFV
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- -0.52%
- YTD
- 2.21%
- 6M
- 2.05%
- 1Y
- 3.81%
- 3Y*
- 7.69%
- 5Y*
- 1.93%
- 10Y*
- —
PQDI
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 1.61%
- 6M
- 1.55%
- 1Y
- 6.47%
- 3Y*
- 9.23%
- 5Y*
- 3.20%
- 10Y*
- —
PFFV vs. PQDI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFV Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 2.21% | 2.08% | 9.45% | 10.64% | -13.81% | 6.35% | 13.36% |
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 1.61% | 8.46% | 9.99% | 6.24% | -9.61% | 3.10% | 10.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFFV and PQDI is 0.53, 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 | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2020 | 0.52 |
The correlation between PFFV and PQDI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFFV vs. PQDI — Risk / Return Rank
PFFV
PQDI
PFFV vs. PQDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF (PFFV) and Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI). 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.
| PFFV | PQDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.42 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.19 | 1.96 | -0.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.30 | 8.68 | -5.38 |
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Drawdowns
PFFV vs. PQDI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFFV drawdown since its inception was -18.96%, which is greater than PQDI's maximum drawdown of -17.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFV and PQDI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFFV | PQDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.96% | -17.41% | -1.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.23% | -3.31% | +0.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -3.31% | -2.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.96% | -17.41% | -1.55% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.00% | -0.22% | -0.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.15% | -3.48% | -0.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.16% | 0.75% | +0.41% |
Volatility
PFFV vs. PQDI - Volatility Comparison
Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF (PFFV) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) at 0.91%. This indicates that PFFV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQDI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFFV | PQDI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 0.91% | +0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.98% | 2.91% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.24% | 3.28% | +0.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.86% | 4.70% | +4.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.66% | 4.54% | +4.12% |
PFFV vs. PQDI - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFFV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PQDI's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFFV vs. PQDI - Dividend Comparison
PFFV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.17%, more than PQDI's 5.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFV Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 8.17% | 8.26% | 7.33% | 7.17% | 6.60% | 5.23% | 2.29% |
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 5.44% | 5.02% | 4.93% | 5.35% | 5.60% | 5.21% | 2.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFFV and PQDI have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFFV has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to PQDI (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFV dropped -18.96% vs PQDI's -17.41%.
On 5-year performance, PQDI leads with 3.20% vs 1.93% for PFFV. On fees, PFFV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PQDI has been the lower-risk option at 0.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, PQDI has performed better with a 3.20% return vs 1.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFFV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.
PFFV has the higher dividend yield at 8.17%, compared with 5.44% for PQDI.
PFFV tracks ICE U.S. Variable Rate Preferred Securities Index, while PQDI tracks ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for PFFV and 0.60% for PQDI.
PQDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 0.91), 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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