PREF vs. TBF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) and TBF (ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury) are both exchange-traded funds - PREF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while TBF is a Inverse Bonds fund tracking the U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Index (-100%). PREF is actively managed, while TBF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PREF returned 3.07%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for TBF. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. PREF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.94%/yr for TBF.

Performance

PREF vs. TBF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) and ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury (TBF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PREF achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly lower than TBF's 2.38% return.

PREF

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

TBF

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 2.38%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 0.68%
• 3Y*: 7.99%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 2.77%

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

PREF vs. TBF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	1.65%	7.64%	11.43%	7.36%	-11.80%	2.08%	7.52%	17.32%	-5.45%	2.05%
TBF ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury	2.38%	1.27%	16.33%	2.43%	42.37%	1.33%	-19.35%	-10.96%	3.26%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PREF and TBF is -0.30, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2017	-0.18

The correlation between PREF and TBF shifts across timeframes, from -0.30 (1 year) to -0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PREF vs. TBF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PREF	TBF
Financial Services	100.0%	48.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PREF vs. TBF — 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

TBF

TBF Risk / Return Rank: 9
TBF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TBF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
TBF Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TBF Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
TBF Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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. TBF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) and ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury (TBF). 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	TBF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	0.07	+2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	0.17	+2.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.02	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	0.10	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.09	0.21	+11.88
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. TBF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PREF Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the TBF Sharpe Ratio of 0.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PREF and TBF, 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	TBF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	0.07	+2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.64	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	-0.21	+0.87

Drawdowns

PREF vs. TBF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PREF drawdown since its inception was -22.99%, smaller than the maximum TBF drawdown of -70.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PREF and TBF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PREF	TBF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.99%	-70.40%	+47.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-7.23%	+4.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.39%	-17.79%	+13.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.99%	-17.79%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-43.40%	+43.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-47.43%	+43.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	3.27%	-2.72%

Volatility

PREF vs. TBF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) is 0.69%, while ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury (TBF) has a volatility of 2.80%. This indicates that PREF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TBF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PREF	TBF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.69%	2.80%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.51%	6.42%	-3.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.09%	9.63%	-6.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.87%	15.72%	-10.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.30%	14.52%	-8.22%

PREF vs. TBF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PREF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than TBF's 0.94% expense ratio.

Dividends

PREF vs. TBF - Dividend Comparison

PREF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.16%, more than TBF's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
TBF ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury	2.84%	3.39%	4.06%	4.99%	0.36%	0.00%	0.22%	1.68%	0.88%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PREF and TBF in my portfolio?

PREF and TBF have a correlation of -0.30, 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 TBF?

TBF has higher volatility (2.80%) compared to PREF (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PREF dropped -22.99% vs TBF's -70.40%.

Which ETF is better, PREF or TBF?

On 5-year performance, TBF leads with 10.00% vs 3.07% for PREF. On fees, PREF is cheaper at 0.55% per year. 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 TBF?

Over the 5-year period, TBF has performed better with a 10.00% return vs 3.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PREF or TBF?

PREF is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for TBF.

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

PREF has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 2.84% for TBF.

What is the main difference between PREF and TBF?

PREF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while TBF is Inverse Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Principal and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PREF and 0.94% for TBF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.07), 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.