PFXF vs. SPFF
PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and SPFF (Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - PFXF tracks the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index while SPFF tracks the S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFXF returned 5.12%/yr vs 3.02%/yr for SPFF. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFXF charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for SPFF.
Performance
PFXF vs. SPFF - 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 SPFF's 4.37% return. Over the past 10 years, PFXF has outperformed SPFF with an annualized return of 5.12%, while SPFF has yielded a comparatively lower 3.02% annualized 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%
SPFF
- 1D
- -0.84%
- 1M
- 0.81%
- YTD
- 4.37%
- 6M
- 3.21%
- 1Y
- 15.54%
- 3Y*
- 8.72%
- 5Y*
- 1.64%
- 10Y*
- 3.02%
PFXF vs. SPFF - 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% | 7.93% |
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 4.37% | 7.52% | 8.62% | 3.00% | -14.29% | 5.15% | 6.91% | 13.04% | -2.55% | 1.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and SPFF is 0.80, 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 | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2012 | 0.69 |
The correlation between PFXF and SPFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (all time) to 0.81 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PFXF vs. SPFF — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
SPFF
PFXF vs. SPFF - 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 SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF). 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 | SPFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.27 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.60 | 2.06 | +0.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.59 | 6.19 | +2.40 |
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Drawdowns
PFXF vs. SPFF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, roughly equal to the maximum SPFF drawdown of -35.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and SPFF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | SPFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -35.92% | +0.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.83% | -7.58% | +1.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.90% | -12.51% | +0.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.80% | -22.88% | +1.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.49% | -35.92% | +0.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.96% | -2.57% | -1.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.90% | -4.05% | +0.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.76% | 2.52% | -0.76% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. SPFF - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) have volatilities of 3.71% and 3.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFXF | SPFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.71% | 3.72% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.33% | 7.74% | -0.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.42% | 9.98% | -0.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.00% | 11.02% | -0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.25% | 13.53% | -0.28% |
PFXF vs. SPFF - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than SPFF's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. SPFF - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.27%, less than SPFF's 6.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 6.49% | 6.47% | 6.39% | 6.64% | 7.15% | 5.78% | 5.75% | 5.97% | 7.60% | 7.24% | 7.04% | 7.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFXF and SPFF have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPFF has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to PFXF (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs SPFF's -35.92%.
On 10-year performance, PFXF leads with 5.12% vs 3.02% for SPFF. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.41% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 5.12% return vs 3.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFXF is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for SPFF.
SPFF has the higher dividend yield at 6.49%, compared with 6.27% for PFXF.
PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index, while SPFF tracks S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for PFXF and 0.58% for SPFF.
PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.56), 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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