PQDI vs. EVPF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and EVPF (Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. PQDI is passively managed, while EVPF is actively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EVPF.

Performance

PQDI vs. EVPF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF (EVPF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

PQDI

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 7.46%
• 3Y*: 9.11%
• 5Y*: 3.30%
• 10Y*: —

EVPF

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PQDI vs. EVPF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	0.27%
EVPF Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between PQDI and EVPF is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2026	0.77

Return for Risk

PQDI vs. EVPF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PQDI

PQDI Risk / Return Rank: 65
PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PQDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
PQDI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PQDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
PQDI Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

PQDI vs. EVPF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF (EVPF). 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.

	PQDI	EVPF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.03	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PQDI	EVPF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	1.13	-0.10

Drawdowns

PQDI vs. EVPF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, which is greater than EVPF's maximum drawdown of -2.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and EVPF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQDI	EVPF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	-2.36%	-15.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.18%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-0.52%	-2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PQDI	EVPF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	4.35%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	4.35%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	4.35%	+0.21%

PQDI vs. EVPF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than EVPF's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQDI vs. EVPF - Dividend Comparison

PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, more than EVPF's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EVPF Eaton Vance Preferred Securities and Income ETF	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.46%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQDI and EVPF in my portfolio?

PQDI and EVPF have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PQDI or EVPF?

On fees, EVPF is cheaper at 0.39% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQDI or EVPF?

EVPF is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PQDI or EVPF?

PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.46%, compared with 1.08% for EVPF.

What is the main difference between PQDI and EVPF?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and Eaton Vance. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.39% for EVPF.