PSF vs. FPEI

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PSF (Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund) and FPEI (First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, PSF returned -0.42%/yr vs 4.19%/yr for FPEI. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSF charges 4.28%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FPEI.

Performance

PSF vs. FPEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSF achieves a 1.50% return, which is significantly lower than FPEI's 2.03% return.

PSF

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 2.30%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.86%
• 1Y: 7.54%
• 3Y*: 10.91%
• 5Y*: -0.42%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

FPEI

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.87%
• 3Y*: 11.06%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSF vs. FPEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	1.50%	10.63%	12.84%	9.88%	-24.55%	3.89%	-3.78%	42.60%	-9.01%	4.09%
FPEI First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF	2.03%	9.82%	10.94%	6.29%	-8.19%	4.63%	7.08%	15.86%	-4.29%	2.07%

Correlation

The correlation between PSF and FPEI is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 23, 2017	0.31

The correlation between PSF and FPEI shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSF vs. FPEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSF

PSF Risk / Return Rank: 14
PSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
PSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
PSF Omega Ratio Rank: 14
PSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
PSF Martin Ratio Rank: 14

FPEI

FPEI Risk / Return Rank: 73
FPEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FPEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FPEI Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FPEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FPEI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

PSF vs. FPEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PSF	FPEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	2.12	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	3.39	-2.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.48	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	2.18	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.43	10.81	-7.39

PSF vs. FPEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSF Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the FPEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSF and FPEI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PSF vs. FPEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSF drawdown since its inception was -55.01%, which is greater than FPEI's maximum drawdown of -27.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSF and FPEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSF	FPEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.01%	-27.51%	-27.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-3.63%	-3.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.23%	-4.26%	-7.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.80%	-16.46%	-24.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.73%	-0.00%	-7.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.98%	-3.04%	-6.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	0.73%	+1.47%

Volatility

PSF vs. FPEI - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) has a higher volatility of 2.07% compared to First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPEI) at 0.81%. This indicates that PSF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FPEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSF	FPEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.07%	0.81%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.03%	3.09%	+3.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.65%	3.73%	+4.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.16%	5.97%	+8.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	8.83%	+12.29%

PSF vs. FPEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSF has a 4.28% expense ratio, which is higher than FPEI's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSF vs. FPEI - Dividend Comparison

PSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.63%, more than FPEI's 5.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPEI First Trust Institutional Preferred Securities & Income ETF	5.70%	5.62%	5.55%	5.76%	5.20%	4.46%	4.90%	5.02%	5.81%	1.50%	0.00%	0.00%
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	7.63%	7.46%	7.65%	8.29%	8.65%	9.08%	7.02%	6.55%	8.68%	7.70%	9.35%	8.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSF and FPEI in my portfolio?

PSF and FPEI have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSF or FPEI?

PSF has higher volatility (2.07%) compared to FPEI (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSF dropped -55.01% vs FPEI's -27.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.87), 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.