PFXF vs. PFFD
PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and PFFD (Global X U.S. Preferred ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - PFXF tracks the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index while PFFD tracks the ICE BofA Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFXF returned 3.74%/yr vs -0.48%/yr for PFFD. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for PFFD.
Performance
PFXF vs. PFFD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 5.24% return, which is significantly higher than PFFD's 1.75% return.
PFXF
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -1.17%
- YTD
- 5.24%
- 6M
- 4.73%
- 1Y
- 15.10%
- 3Y*
- 9.41%
- 5Y*
- 3.74%
- 10Y*
- 5.12%
PFFD
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 1.75%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- 1Y
- 6.96%
- 3Y*
- 5.74%
- 5Y*
- -0.48%
- 10Y*
- —
PFXF vs. PFFD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 5.24% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 11.20% | -18.83% | 11.61% | 7.61% | 20.52% | -4.17% | -0.34% |
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF | 1.75% | 3.22% | 7.07% | 6.85% | -20.20% | 5.07% | 8.90% | 17.43% | -3.94% | 0.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and PFFD is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2017 | 0.80 |
The correlation between PFXF and PFFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFXF vs. PFFD — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
PFFD
PFXF vs. PFFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD). 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.
| PFXF | PFFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.94 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.16 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.60 | 1.17 | +1.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.59 | 3.42 | +5.17 |
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Drawdowns
PFXF vs. PFFD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, which is greater than PFFD's maximum drawdown of -30.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and PFFD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | PFFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -30.93% | -4.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.83% | -5.97% | +0.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.90% | -10.84% | -1.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.80% | -24.45% | +2.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.49% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.96% | -4.19% | +0.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.90% | -6.57% | +2.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.76% | 2.04% | -0.28% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. PFFD - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) at 1.99%. This indicates that PFXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFXF | PFFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.71% | 1.99% | +1.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.33% | 5.44% | +1.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.42% | 7.35% | +2.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.00% | 11.01% | -0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.25% | 12.73% | +0.52% |
PFXF vs. PFFD - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than PFFD's 0.23% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. PFFD - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.27%, less than PFFD's 6.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF | 6.40% | 6.37% | 6.42% | 6.49% | 6.63% | 5.09% | 5.17% | 5.48% | 6.21% | 1.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.27% | 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 PFFD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFXF has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to PFFD (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs PFFD's -30.93%.
On 5-year performance, PFXF leads with 3.74% vs -0.48% for PFFD. On fees, PFFD is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, PFFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 3.74% return vs -0.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFFD is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for PFXF.
PFFD has the higher dividend yield at 6.40%, compared with 6.27% for PFXF.
PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while PFFD tracks ICE BofA Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.23% for PFFD.
PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 0.95), 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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