PFXF vs. NPFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and NPFI (Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. PFXF is passively managed, while NPFI is actively managed. Over the past year, PFXF returned 18.28% vs 7.90% for NPFI. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for NPFI.

Performance

PFXF vs. NPFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than NPFI's 1.62% 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%

NPFI

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 2.06%
• 1Y: 7.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PFXF vs. NPFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF	8.54%	9.64%	4.61%
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	1.62%	9.21%	6.56%

Correlation

The correlation between PFXF and NPFI is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.54

The correlation between PFXF and NPFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFXF vs. NPFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PFXF

PFXF Risk / Return Rank: 61
PFXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PFXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PFXF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PFXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PFXF Martin Ratio Rank: 61

NPFI

NPFI Risk / Return Rank: 76
NPFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NPFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NPFI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
NPFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NPFI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PFXF vs. NPFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI). 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	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.72	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	4.18	-1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.64	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	2.49	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	12.02	-0.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFXF vs. NPFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFXF Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the NPFI Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFXF and NPFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PFXF	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.72	-0.67
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	2.65	-2.16

Drawdowns

PFXF vs. NPFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, which is greater than NPFI's maximum drawdown of -3.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and NPFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFXF	NPFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.49%	-3.18%	-32.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-3.18%	-2.65%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.11%	-0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.91%	-0.34%	-3.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	0.66%	+0.99%

Volatility

PFXF vs. NPFI - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) has a higher volatility of 3.14% compared to Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) at 0.83%. This indicates that PFXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NPFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFXF	NPFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	0.83%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.89%	2.53%	+4.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.94%	2.91%	+6.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.91%	2.95%	+7.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.21%	2.95%	+10.26%

PFXF vs. NPFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than NPFI's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFXF vs. NPFI - Dividend Comparison

PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, less than NPFI's 6.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	6.41%	6.33%	5.10%	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

Can I hold both PFXF and NPFI in my portfolio?

PFXF and NPFI have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFXF or NPFI?

PFXF has higher volatility (3.14%) compared to NPFI (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs NPFI's -3.18%.

Which ETF is better, PFXF or NPFI?

On 1-year performance, PFXF leads with 18.28% vs 7.90% for NPFI. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, NPFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFXF or NPFI?

Over the 1-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 18.28% return vs 7.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFXF or NPFI?

PFXF is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for NPFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PFXF or NPFI?

NPFI has the higher dividend yield at 6.41%, compared with 6.08% for PFXF.

What is the main difference between PFXF and NPFI?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.55% for NPFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 2.06), 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.