PFXF vs. HODL
PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and HODL (VanEck Bitcoin Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - PFXF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while HODL is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PFXF returned 18.28% vs -38.56% for HODL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for HODL.
Performance
PFXF vs. HODL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than HODL's -25.27% return.
PFXF
- 1D
- -0.95%
- 1M
- 2.21%
- YTD
- 8.54%
- 6M
- 9.54%
- 1Y
- 18.28%
- 3Y*
- 10.30%
- 5Y*
- 4.48%
- 10Y*
- 5.44%
HODL
- 1D
- -2.79%
- 1M
- -18.34%
- YTD
- -25.27%
- 6M
- -29.73%
- 1Y
- -38.56%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
PFXF vs. HODL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 8.54% | 9.64% | 7.05% |
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust | -25.27% | -6.42% | 99.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and HODL is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024 | 0.36 |
The correlation between PFXF and HODL shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFXF vs. HODL — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
HODL
PFXF vs. HODL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). 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.
| PFXF | HODL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 0.86 | +0.51 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.15 | -0.79 | +3.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.08 | -1.36 | +12.45 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PFXF | HODL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.06 | -0.89 | +2.95 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.30 | +0.18 |
Drawdowns
PFXF vs. HODL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, smaller than the maximum HODL drawdown of -49.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and HODL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | HODL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -49.25% | +13.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.83% | -49.25% | +43.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.90% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.80% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.49% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.95% | -47.93% | +46.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.91% | -15.97% | +12.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 28.35% | -26.70% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. HODL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) is 3.14%, while VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) has a volatility of 9.43%. This indicates that PFXF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HODL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFXF | HODL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.14% | 9.43% | -6.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.89% | 34.37% | -27.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.94% | 43.51% | -34.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.91% | 49.88% | -38.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.21% | 49.88% | -36.67% |
PFXF vs. HODL - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than HODL's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. HODL - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, while HODL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.08% | 6.72% | 7.82% | 7.88% | 6.74% | 4.66% | 5.19% | 5.35% | 6.56% | 5.93% | 5.81% | 5.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFXF and HODL have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HODL has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to PFXF (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs HODL's -49.25%.
On 1-year performance, PFXF leads with 18.28% vs -38.56% for HODL. On fees, HODL is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PFXF has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 18.28% return vs -38.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HODL is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for PFXF.
PFXF has the higher dividend yield at 6.08%, compared with 0.00% for HODL.
PFXF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while HODL is Cryptocurrency. PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while HODL tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.25% for HODL.
PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs -0.89), 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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