PQDI vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - PQDI tracks the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index while PFF tracks the S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PQDI returned 3.30%/yr vs 1.66%/yr for PFF. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

PQDI vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PQDI achieves a 1.32% return, which is significantly lower than PFF's 3.62% return.

PQDI

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

PFF

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 3.62%
• 6M: 4.28%
• 1Y: 10.56%
• 3Y*: 6.94%
• 5Y*: 1.66%
• 10Y*: 3.37%

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

PQDI vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	1.32%	8.46%	9.99%	6.24%	-9.61%	3.10%	9.81%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	3.62%	4.87%	7.24%	9.22%	-18.19%	7.15%	13.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PQDI and PFF is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2020	0.63

The correlation between PQDI and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

PQDI vs. PFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PQDI	PFF
Financial Services	10.5%	52.3%
Communication Services	0.7%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.2%
Energy	-	0.4%
Healthcare	-	1.3%
Industrials	-	5.5%
Real Estate	-	10.7%
Technology	-	4.4%
Utilities	-	8.9%

Return for Risk

PQDI vs. PFF — 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

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 42
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). 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	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.58	+0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.28	+1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.27	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	1.99	+0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.03	6.18	+3.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PQDI vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQDI Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQDI and PFF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PQDI	PFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.58	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.16	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.21	+0.82

Drawdowns

PQDI vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQDI	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	-65.55%	+48.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.31%	-5.28%	+1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.31%	-10.63%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.41%	-21.05%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.45%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-5.77%	+2.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	1.70%	-0.96%

Volatility

PQDI vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is 1.16%, while iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) has a volatility of 2.03%. This indicates that PQDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQDI	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	2.03%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	5.06%	-2.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	6.72%	-3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	10.30%	-5.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	12.66%	-8.10%

PQDI vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQDI vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, which matches PFF's 5.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.43%	6.30%	6.32%	6.63%	6.01%	4.45%	4.79%	5.31%	6.32%	5.59%	5.85%	5.76%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.46%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQDI and PFF in my portfolio?

PQDI and PFF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PQDI or PFF?

PFF has higher volatility (2.03%) compared to PQDI (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQDI dropped -17.41% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, PQDI or PFF?

On 5-year performance, PQDI leads with 3.30% vs 1.66% for PFF. On fees, PFF is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, PQDI has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PQDI or PFF?

Over the 5-year period, PQDI has performed better with a 3.30% return vs 1.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQDI or PFF?

PFF is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

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

PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.46%, compared with 5.43% for PFF.

What is the main difference between PQDI and PFF?

PQDI tracks ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index, while PFF tracks S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: Principal and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.46% for PFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.58), 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.