PQDI vs. CMDT
PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and CMDT (PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - PQDI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index, while CMDT is a Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PQDI returned 9.15%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for CMDT. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for CMDT.
Performance
PQDI vs. CMDT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PQDI achieves a 1.39% return, which is significantly lower than CMDT's 13.43% return.
PQDI
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 0.48%
- YTD
- 1.39%
- 6M
- 1.47%
- 1Y
- 6.43%
- 3Y*
- 9.15%
- 5Y*
- 3.17%
- 10Y*
- —
CMDT
- 1D
- -1.14%
- 1M
- -8.86%
- YTD
- 13.43%
- 6M
- 13.42%
- 1Y
- 21.34%
- 3Y*
- 12.77%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
PQDI vs. CMDT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 1.39% | 8.46% | 9.99% | 11.29% |
CMDT PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 13.43% | 12.78% | 6.93% | 5.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between PQDI and CMDT is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2023 | 0.04 |
The correlation between PQDI and CMDT shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.04 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PQDI vs. CMDT — Risk / Return Rank
PQDI
CMDT
PQDI vs. CMDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund (CMDT). 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.
| PQDI | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.29 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 1.93 | +0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.62 | 9.62 | -1.00 |
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Drawdowns
PQDI vs. CMDT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, which is greater than CMDT's maximum drawdown of -11.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and CMDT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PQDI | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.41% | -11.11% | -6.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.31% | -11.11% | +7.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.31% | -11.11% | +7.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.41% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.43% | -11.11% | +10.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.48% | -2.77% | -0.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.75% | 2.25% | -1.50% |
Volatility
PQDI vs. CMDT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is 0.89%, while PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund (CMDT) has a volatility of 3.26%. This indicates that PQDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CMDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PQDI | CMDT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.89% | 3.26% | -2.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 10.60% | -7.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.27% | 12.65% | -9.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.70% | 12.24% | -7.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.54% | 12.24% | -7.70% |
PQDI vs. CMDT - Expense Ratio Comparison
PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than CMDT's 0.65% expense ratio.
Dividends
PQDI vs. CMDT - Dividend Comparison
PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.45%, more than CMDT's 2.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CMDT PIMCO Commodity Strategy Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 2.67% | 3.04% | 8.80% | 2.71% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 5.45% | 5.02% | 4.93% | 5.35% | 5.60% | 5.21% | 2.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PQDI and CMDT have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CMDT has higher volatility (3.26%) compared to PQDI (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQDI dropped -17.41% vs CMDT's -11.11%.
On 3-year performance, CMDT leads with 12.77% vs 9.15% for PQDI. On fees, PQDI is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PQDI has been the lower-risk option at 0.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, CMDT has performed better with a 12.77% return vs 9.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PQDI is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for CMDT.
PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.45%, compared with 2.67% for CMDT.
PQDI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while CMDT is Commodities. PQDI tracks ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index, while CMDT tracks Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Principal and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.65% for CMDT.
PQDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.71), 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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