PFXF vs. PFFL
PFXF (VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and PFFL (ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - PFXF is a Preferred Stock fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed & Adjustable Rate Non-Financial Preferred Securities Index, while PFFL is a Leveraged Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFXF returned 3.13%/yr vs -6.94%/yr for PFFL. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PFXF charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PFFL.
Performance
PFXF vs. PFFL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 4.43% return, which is significantly higher than PFFL's -2.41% return.
PFXF
- 1D
- 2.10%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- 6M
- 1.23%
- YTD
- 4.43%
- 1Y
- 9.79%
- 3Y*
- 8.72%
- 5Y*
- 3.13%
- 10Y*
- 4.73%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.36%
PFFL
- 1D
- 1.44%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- 6M
- -5.93%
- YTD
- -2.41%
- 1Y
- -0.58%
- 3Y*
- 3.20%
- 5Y*
- -6.94%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -3.94%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $14.02K | $14.94K | $17.61K | |
| $14.01M | $13.64M | $16.82M |
PFXF vs. PFFL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 4.43% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 11.20% | -18.83% | 11.61% | 7.61% | 20.52% | -6.54% |
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | -2.41% | 2.18% | 4.77% | 8.65% | -39.15% | 7.52% | -15.47% | 30.21% | -10.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and PFFL is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.69 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2018 | 0.76 |
The correlation between PFXF and PFFL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFXF vs. PFFL — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
PFFL
PFXF vs. PFFL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL). 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 | PFFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.01 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.22 | -0.05 | +1.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.58 | -0.10 | +3.67 |
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Drawdowns
PFXF vs. PFFL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, smaller than the maximum PFFL drawdown of -80.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and PFFL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | PFFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -80.68% | +45.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.04% | -11.92% | +3.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.90% | -23.75% | +11.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.80% | -48.51% | +26.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.49% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.70% | -39.88% | +35.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.92% | -28.76% | +24.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.74% | 6.08% | -3.34% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. PFFL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) is 4.27%, while ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN (PFFL) has a volatility of 4.68%. This indicates that PFXF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFFL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFXF | PFFL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 4.68% | -0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.25% | 11.38% | -3.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.15% | 15.72% | -5.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.15% | 23.74% | -12.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.31% | 54.80% | -41.49% |
PFXF vs. PFFL - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFL's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. PFFL - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.56%, less than PFFL's 12.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFL ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Preferred Stock ETN | 12.61% | 13.27% | 13.76% | 13.71% | 13.90% | 8.82% | 9.75% | 11.21% | 2.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PFXF VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.56% | 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 PFFL have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFFL has higher volatility (4.68%) compared to PFXF (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs PFFL's -80.68%.
On 5-year performance, PFXF leads with 3.13% vs -6.94% for PFFL. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, PFXF has been the lower-risk option at 4.27%. 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 3.13% return vs -6.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFXF is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for PFFL.
PFFL has the higher dividend yield at 12.61%, compared with 6.56% for PFXF.
PFXF is categorized as Preferred Stock, while PFFL is Leveraged Bonds. PFXF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed & Adjustable Rate Non-Financial Preferred Securities Index, while PFFL tracks Solactive Preferred Stock ETF Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for PFXF and 0.85% for PFFL.
PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs -0.04), 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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