PREF vs. NPFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) and NPFI (Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PREF returned 6.65% vs 7.90% for NPFI. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.55% expense ratio.

Performance

PREF vs. NPFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) and Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PREF having a 1.65% return and NPFI slightly lower at 1.62%.

PREF

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 6.65%
• 3Y*: 9.25%
• 5Y*: 3.07%
• 10Y*: —

NPFI

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 2.06%
• 1Y: 7.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PREF vs. NPFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	1.65%	7.64%	8.22%
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	1.62%	9.21%	6.56%

Correlation

The correlation between PREF and NPFI is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.42

The correlation between PREF and NPFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.42 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PREF vs. NPFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 64
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

NPFI

NPFI Risk / Return Rank: 76
NPFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NPFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NPFI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
NPFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NPFI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

PREF vs. NPFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) and Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI). 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.

	PREF	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.72	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	4.18	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.64	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.49	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	12.02	+0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PREF vs. NPFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PREF Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the NPFI Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PREF and NPFI, 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

	PREF	NPFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.72	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	2.65	-1.99

Drawdowns

PREF vs. NPFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PREF drawdown since its inception was -22.99%, which is greater than NPFI's maximum drawdown of -3.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PREF and NPFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PREF	NPFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.99%	-3.18%	-19.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-3.18%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.11%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-0.34%	-3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	0.66%	-0.11%

Volatility

PREF vs. NPFI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) is 0.69%, while Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) has a volatility of 0.83%. This indicates that PREF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NPFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PREF	NPFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.69%	0.83%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.51%	2.53%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.09%	2.91%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.87%	2.95%	+1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.30%	2.95%	+3.35%

PREF vs. NPFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PREF and NPFI have an expense ratio of 0.55%.

Dividends

PREF vs. NPFI - Dividend Comparison

PREF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.16%, less than NPFI's 6.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	6.41%	6.33%	5.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.16%	4.87%	4.65%	4.67%	4.63%	4.07%	4.35%	4.67%	5.49%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PREF and NPFI in my portfolio?

PREF and NPFI have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PREF or NPFI?

NPFI has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to PREF (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PREF dropped -22.99% vs NPFI's -3.18%.

Which ETF is better, PREF or NPFI?

On 1-year performance, NPFI leads with 7.90% vs 6.65% for PREF. Both ETFs have the same 0.55% expense ratio. On volatility, PREF has been the lower-risk option at 0.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PREF or NPFI?

Over the 1-year period, NPFI has performed better with a 7.90% return vs 6.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PREF or NPFI?

PREF and NPFI have the same expense ratio: 0.55% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PREF or NPFI?

NPFI has the higher dividend yield at 6.41%, compared with 5.16% for PREF.

What is the main difference between PREF and NPFI?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and Nuveen.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 2.16), 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.