PSF vs. PFFA
PSF (Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, PSF returned -0.60%/yr vs 6.18%/yr for PFFA. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSF charges 4.28%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.
Performance
PSF vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PSF achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 2.55% return.
PSF
- 1D
- -0.56%
- 1M
- 1.63%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 1.19%
- 1Y
- 7.43%
- 3Y*
- 10.67%
- 5Y*
- -0.60%
- 10Y*
- 5.07%
PFFA
- 1D
- -0.51%
- 1M
- 0.05%
- YTD
- 2.55%
- 6M
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- 11.80%
- 3Y*
- 14.21%
- 5Y*
- 6.18%
- 10Y*
- —
PSF vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund | 0.84% | 10.63% | 12.84% | 9.88% | -24.55% | 3.89% | -3.78% | 42.60% | -3.52% |
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 2.55% | 8.22% | 16.11% | 26.45% | -20.91% | 23.53% | -7.87% | 31.99% | -7.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between PSF and PFFA is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018 | 0.44 |
The correlation between PSF and PFFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PSF vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank
PSF
PFFA
PSF vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) 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.
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 | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.31 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.02 | 1.83 | -0.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.38 | 6.05 | -2.67 |
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Drawdowns
PSF vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PSF drawdown since its inception was -55.01%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSF and PFFA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PSF | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.01% | -70.52% | +15.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.28% | -6.49% | -0.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.23% | -12.15% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.80% | -22.70% | -18.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -55.01% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.34% | -2.00% | -6.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.99% | -6.62% | -3.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.20% | 1.95% | +0.25% |
Volatility
PSF vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) have volatilities of 2.06% and 2.16%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PSF | PFFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.06% | 2.16% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.02% | 5.92% | +1.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.68% | 7.16% | +1.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.16% | 11.54% | +2.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.12% | 31.75% | -10.63% |
PSF vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
PSF has a 4.28% expense ratio, which is higher than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
PSF vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison
PSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.68%, less than PFFA's 9.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | 9.76% | 9.47% | 9.18% | 9.56% | 10.75% | 7.64% | 8.54% | 10.02% | 5.15% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund | 7.68% | 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
PSF and PFFA have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFFA has higher volatility (2.16%) compared to PSF (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSF dropped -55.01% vs PFFA's -70.52%.
PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.86), 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.
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