PFXF vs. SCYB
PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and SCYB (Schwab High Yield Bond ETF) 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 SCYB is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PFXF returned 15.75% vs 6.69% for SCYB. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCYB.
Performance
PFXF vs. SCYB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 5.59% return, which is significantly higher than SCYB's 1.92% return.
PFXF
- 1D
- -1.30%
- 1M
- -0.84%
- YTD
- 5.59%
- 6M
- 4.73%
- 1Y
- 15.75%
- 3Y*
- 9.53%
- 5Y*
- 3.82%
- 10Y*
- 5.15%
SCYB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.50%
- YTD
- 1.92%
- 6M
- 2.07%
- 1Y
- 6.69%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
PFXF vs. SCYB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 5.59% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 2.61% |
SCYB Schwab High Yield Bond ETF | 1.92% | 8.33% | 8.15% | 7.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and SCYB is 0.62, 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 | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2023 | 0.66 |
The correlation between PFXF and SCYB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PFXF vs. SCYB — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
SCYB
PFXF vs. SCYB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB). 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 | SCYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.35 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.71 | 2.75 | -0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 12.23 | -3.17 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PFXF vs. SCYB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, which is greater than SCYB's maximum drawdown of -4.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and SCYB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | SCYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -4.92% | -30.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.83% | -2.44% | -3.39% |
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 | -3.64% | -0.15% | -3.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.90% | -0.51% | -3.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.74% | 0.55% | +1.19% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. SCYB - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) has a higher volatility of 3.70% compared to Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB) at 1.00%. This indicates that PFXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCYB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PFXF | SCYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.70% | 1.00% | +2.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.35% | 3.02% | +4.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.43% | 3.79% | +5.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.00% | 5.12% | +5.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.25% | 5.12% | +8.13% |
PFXF vs. SCYB - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than SCYB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. SCYB - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.25%, less than SCYB's 6.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.25% | 6.72% | 7.82% | 7.88% | 6.74% | 4.66% | 5.19% | 5.35% | 6.56% | 5.93% | 5.81% | 5.99% |
SCYB Schwab High Yield Bond ETF | 6.91% | 6.99% | 7.06% | 3.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFXF and SCYB have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFXF has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to SCYB (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs SCYB's -4.92%.
On 1-year performance, PFXF leads with 15.75% vs 6.69% for SCYB. On fees, SCYB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCYB has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. 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 15.75% return vs 6.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCYB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for PFXF.
SCYB has the higher dividend yield at 6.91%, compared with 6.25% for PFXF.
PFXF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while SCYB is High Yield Bonds. PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while SCYB tracks ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.03% for SCYB.
SCYB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.68), 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.
Find the right allocation for PFXF and SCYB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer