PRFD vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRFD (PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PRFD returned 9.23%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for PFFA. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRFD charges 0.74%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

PRFD vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRFD achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 3.08% return.

PRFD

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.56%
• 1Y: 8.04%
• 3Y*: 9.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PFFA

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 4.03%
• 1Y: 14.79%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 6.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

PRFD vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PRFD PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund	1.40%	8.45%	9.92%	1.83%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	3.08%	8.22%	16.11%	11.95%

Correlation

The correlation between PRFD and PFFA is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2023	0.50

The correlation between PRFD and PFFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.50 - a consistent structural relationship.

PRFD vs. PFFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PRFD	PFFA
Financial Services	2.0%	28.1%
Communication Services	0.3%	5.3%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.2%
Healthcare	-	0.9%
Industrials	-	10.2%
Real Estate	-	41.2%
Technology	-	3.0%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

PRFD vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRFD

PRFD Risk / Return Rank: 69
PRFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
PRFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
PRFD Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PRFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PRFD Martin Ratio Rank: 58

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 56
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

PRFD vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). 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.

	PRFD	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.12	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	3.00	+0.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.40	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.29	+0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.14	7.79	+2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRFD vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRFD Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRFD and PFFA, 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

	PRFD	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.12	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	0.24	+1.07

Drawdowns

PRFD vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRFD drawdown since its inception was -11.93%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRFD and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRFD	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.93%	-70.52%	+58.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.28%	-6.49%	+3.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.28%	-12.15%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-1.50%	+0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-6.65%	+4.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	1.90%	-1.11%

Volatility

PRFD vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund (PRFD) is 1.19%, while Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) has a volatility of 1.87%. This indicates that PRFD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRFD	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	1.87%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.68%	5.68%	-3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21%	7.02%	-3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	11.51%	-6.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	31.84%	-26.96%

PRFD vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRFD has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRFD vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

PRFD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.77%, less than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	9.62%	9.47%	9.18%	9.56%	10.75%	7.64%	8.54%	10.02%	5.15%
PRFD PIMCO Preferred And Capital Securities Active Exchange-Traded Fund	5.77%	5.63%	5.53%	5.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRFD and PFFA in my portfolio?

PRFD and PFFA have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRFD or PFFA?

PFFA has higher volatility (1.87%) compared to PRFD (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRFD dropped -11.93% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which ETF is better, PRFD or PFFA?

On 3-year performance, PFFA leads with 14.46% vs 9.23% for PRFD. On fees, PRFD is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, PRFD has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PRFD or PFFA?

Over the 3-year period, PFFA has performed better with a 14.46% return vs 9.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PRFD or PFFA?

PRFD is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 1.47% for PFFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PRFD or PFFA?

PFFA has the higher dividend yield at 9.62%, compared with 5.77% for PRFD.

What is the main difference between PRFD and PFFA?

They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for PRFD and 1.47% for PFFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.12), 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.