PQDI vs. IG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and IG (Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF) 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 IG is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. PQDI is passively managed, while IG is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for IG.

Performance

PQDI vs. IG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG). 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*: —

IG

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PQDI vs. IG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	0.07%
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between PQDI and IG is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2026	0.90

PQDI vs. IG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PQDI	IG
Financial Services	10.5%	2.9%
Communication Services	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PQDI vs. IG — 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. IG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG). 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	IG	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	IG	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	0.02	+1.02

Drawdowns

PQDI vs. IG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, which is greater than IG's maximum drawdown of -1.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and IG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQDI	IG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	-1.75%	-15.66%
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%	-0.09%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-0.54%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PQDI	IG	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%	4.94%	-1.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	4.94%	-0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	4.94%	-0.38%

PQDI vs. IG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IG's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQDI vs. IG - Dividend Comparison

PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, more than IG's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.84%	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 IG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PQDI and IG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, PQDI or IG?

On fees, IG is cheaper at 0.26% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQDI or IG?

IG is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

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

PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.46%, compared with 0.84% for IG.

What is the main difference between PQDI and IG?

PQDI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while IG is Corporate Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.26% for IG.