PQDI vs. PRFD
PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and PRFD (PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both Preferred Stock funds. PQDI is passively managed, while PRFD is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PQDI returned 8.46%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for PRFD. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for PRFD.
Performance
PQDI vs. PRFD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PQDI achieves a 1.96% return, which is significantly higher than PRFD's 1.80% return.
PQDI
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- -0.28%
- 6M
- 1.07%
- YTD
- 1.96%
- 1Y
- 5.54%
- 3Y*
- 8.46%
- 5Y*
- 3.06%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.68%
PRFD
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -0.48%
- 6M
- 1.02%
- YTD
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 5.41%
- 3Y*
- 8.59%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 6.15%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $158.66K | $143.10K | $126.70K | |
| $2.61M | $1.56M | $1.07M |
PQDI vs. PRFD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 1.96% | 8.46% | 9.99% | 2.10% |
PRFD PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 1.80% | 8.45% | 9.92% | 1.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between PQDI and PRFD is 0.54, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2023 | 0.62 |
The correlation between PQDI and PRFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PQDI vs. PRFD — Risk / Return Rank
PQDI
PRFD
PQDI vs. PRFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD). 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 | PRFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.32 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.68 | 1.65 | +0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.19 | 6.53 | +0.65 |
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Drawdowns
PQDI vs. PRFD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, which is greater than PRFD's maximum drawdown of -11.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and PRFD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PQDI | PRFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.41% | -11.93% | -5.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.31% | -3.28% | -0.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.31% | -5.59% | +2.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.41% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.28% | -0.48% | +0.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.42% | -2.15% | -1.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.77% | 0.83% | -0.06% |
Volatility
PQDI vs. PRFD - Volatility Comparison
Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD) have volatilities of 0.92% and 0.89%, 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
| PQDI | PRFD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.92% | 0.89% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 2.68% | +0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.37% | 3.25% | +0.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.71% | 4.80% | -0.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.52% | 4.80% | -0.28% |
PQDI vs. PRFD - Expense Ratio Comparison
PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than PRFD's 0.74% expense ratio.
Dividends
PQDI vs. PRFD - Dividend Comparison
PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.66%, less than PRFD's 5.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 5.66% | 5.02% | 4.93% | 5.35% | 5.60% | 5.21% | 2.69% |
PRFD PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 5.84% | 5.63% | 5.53% | 5.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PQDI and PRFD have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PQDI has higher volatility (0.92%) compared to PRFD (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQDI dropped -17.41% vs PRFD's -11.93%.
On 3-year performance, PRFD leads with 8.59% vs 8.46% for PQDI. On fees, PQDI is cheaper at 0.60% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, PRFD has performed better with a 8.59% return vs 8.46%. 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 0.74% for PRFD.
PRFD has the higher dividend yield at 5.84%, compared with 5.66% for PQDI.
They also come from different issuers: Principal and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.74% for PRFD.
PRFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.65), 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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