PQDI vs. YLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and YLD (Principal Active High Yield 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 YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. PQDI is passively managed, while YLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PQDI returned 3.30%/yr vs 4.93%/yr for YLD. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for YLD.

Performance

PQDI vs. YLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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 YLD's 3.21% return.

PQDI

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

YLD

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: 7.82%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: 5.84%

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

PQDI vs. YLD - 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%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	3.21%	6.55%	9.19%	12.93%	-8.78%	9.17%	10.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PQDI and YLD is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2020	0.54

The correlation between PQDI and YLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

PQDI vs. YLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PQDI	YLD
Financial Services	10.5%	-
Communication Services	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PQDI vs. YLD — 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

YLD

YLD Risk / Return Rank: 63
YLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
YLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
YLD Omega Ratio Rank: 55
YLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
YLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. YLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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	YLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.82	+0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.74	+0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.34	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	4.09	-1.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.03	14.21	-4.18
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. YLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PQDI Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the YLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PQDI and YLD, 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	YLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.82	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.77	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.65	+0.38

Drawdowns

PQDI vs. YLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, smaller than the maximum YLD drawdown of -28.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and YLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PQDI	YLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	-28.34%	+10.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.31%	-1.98%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.31%	-5.62%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.41%	-13.89%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	0.00%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-2.70%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	0.57%	+0.17%

Volatility

PQDI vs. YLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is 1.16%, while Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) has a volatility of 1.26%. This indicates that PQDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PQDI	YLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	1.26%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	3.49%	-0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	4.32%	-1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	6.39%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	8.21%	-3.65%

PQDI vs. YLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PQDI vs. YLD - Dividend Comparison

PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.46%, less than YLD's 7.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	7.25%	7.33%	7.12%	6.46%	6.51%	3.92%	4.40%	4.81%	5.42%	6.28%	4.47%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PQDI and YLD in my portfolio?

PQDI and YLD have a correlation of 0.53, 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 YLD?

YLD has higher volatility (1.26%) compared to PQDI (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQDI dropped -17.41% vs YLD's -28.34%.

Which ETF is better, PQDI or YLD?

On 5-year performance, YLD leads with 4.93% vs 3.30% for PQDI. On fees, YLD is cheaper at 0.39% 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 YLD?

Over the 5-year period, YLD has performed better with a 4.93% return vs 3.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PQDI or YLD?

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

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

YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 5.46% for PQDI.

What is the main difference between PQDI and YLD?

PQDI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while YLD is High Yield Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.39% for YLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PQDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.82), 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.