PFXF vs. PFFR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and PFFR (InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - PFXF tracks the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index while PFFR tracks the Indxx REIT Preferred Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFXF returned 4.77%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PFFR. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for PFFR.

Performance

PFXF vs. PFFR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 9.58% return, which is significantly higher than PFFR's 1.03% return.

PFXF

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 9.58%
• 6M: 10.72%
• 1Y: 20.05%
• 3Y*: 10.65%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 5.54%

PFFR

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.69%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 7.97%
• 3Y*: 9.35%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFXF vs. PFFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF	9.58%	9.64%	8.42%	11.20%	-18.83%	11.61%	7.61%	20.52%	-4.17%	3.99%
PFFR InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF	1.03%	5.36%	7.12%	21.04%	-23.90%	6.76%	0.19%	20.28%	-7.45%	7.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PFXF and PFFR is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2017	0.57

The correlation between PFXF and PFFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

PFXF vs. PFFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFXF	PFFR
Real Estate	14.0%	84.9%
Utilities	12.4%	-
Technology	9.7%	-
Communication Services	6.7%	-
Financial Services	6.2%	5.3%
Healthcare	3.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	-
Industrials	1.0%	-
Energy	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-

Return for Risk

PFXF vs. PFFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFXF

PFXF Risk / Return Rank: 68
PFXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PFXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PFXF Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PFXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PFXF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

PFFR

PFFR Risk / Return Rank: 25
PFFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PFFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PFFR Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PFFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
PFFR Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. PFFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (PFFR). 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	PFFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.01	+1.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	1.47	+1.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.18	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	1.02	+2.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	2.39	+9.85
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. PFFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFXF Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the PFFR Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFXF and PFFR, 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	PFFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	1.01	+1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.10	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.16	+0.34

Drawdowns

PFXF vs. PFFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, smaller than the maximum PFFR drawdown of -53.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and PFFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFXF	PFFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.49%	-53.02%	+17.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-6.57%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.90%	-11.16%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.80%	-29.80%	+8.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.84%	+2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.91%	-7.00%	+3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	2.79%	-1.14%

Volatility

PFXF vs. PFFR - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (PFFR) at 2.81%. This indicates that PFXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFXF	PFFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.81%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.87%	6.13%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.88%	8.00%	+0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.90%	10.47%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.21%	20.54%	-7.33%

PFXF vs. PFFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFR's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFXF vs. PFFR - Dividend Comparison

PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.02%, less than PFFR's 8.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFFR InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF	8.27%	7.99%	7.78%	7.72%	8.60%	6.08%	6.11%	5.77%	6.48%	6.59%	0.00%	0.00%
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF	6.02%	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 PFFR in my portfolio?

PFXF and PFFR have a correlation of 0.50, 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 PFFR?

PFXF has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to PFFR (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs PFFR's -53.02%.

Which ETF is better, PFXF or PFFR?

On 5-year performance, PFXF leads with 4.77% vs 1.03% for PFFR. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, PFFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFXF or PFFR?

Over the 5-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 4.77% return vs 1.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFXF or PFFR?

PFXF is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for PFFR.

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

PFFR has the higher dividend yield at 8.27%, compared with 6.02% for PFXF.

What is the main difference between PFXF and PFFR?

PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while PFFR tracks Indxx REIT Preferred Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.45% for PFFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.01), 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.