PQDI vs. QPFF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and QPFF (American Century Quality Preferred ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. PQDI is passively managed, while QPFF is actively managed. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for QPFF.

Performance

PQDI vs. QPFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and American Century Quality Preferred ETF (QPFF). 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*: —

QPFF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PQDI vs. QPFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	0.39%
QPFF American Century Quality Preferred ETF	0.00%

PQDI vs. QPFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PQDI	QPFF
Financial Services	10.5%	51.6%
Communication Services	0.7%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	1.2%
Real Estate	-	4.1%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	5.5%

Return for Risk

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and American Century Quality Preferred ETF (QPFF). 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	QPFF	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	QPFF	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	—	—

Drawdowns

PQDI vs. QPFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, which is greater than QPFF's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and QPFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQDI	QPFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	0.00%	-17.41%
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%	0.00%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	0.00%	-3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PQDI	QPFF	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%	0.00%	+3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	0.00%	+4.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	0.00%	+4.56%

PQDI vs. QPFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QPFF's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

PQDI vs. QPFF - Dividend Comparison

PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, while QPFF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.46%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%
QPFF American Century Quality Preferred ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, PQDI or QPFF?

On fees, QPFF is cheaper at 0.33% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQDI or QPFF?

QPFF is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PQDI.

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

PQDI has the higher dividend yield at 5.46%, compared with 0.00% for QPFF.

What is the main difference between PQDI and QPFF?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.33% for QPFF.