PSF vs. PFFA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PSF (Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both Preferred Stock funds. Over the past 5 years, PSF returned -1.80%/yr vs 5.61%/yr for PFFA. Their 0.44 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PSF charges 4.28%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

PSF vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) 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, PSF achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 1.89% return.

PSF

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -2.03%
• 6M: -1.20%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 1Y: 2.31%
• 3Y*: 9.10%
• 5Y*: -1.80%
• 10Y*: 4.50%
• ALL TIME*: 6.89%

PFFA

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 1Y: 6.74%
• 3Y*: 11.90%
• 5Y*: 5.61%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	$15.43M	$17.09M	$20.18M
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	$617.85K	$606.44K	$847.81K

PSF vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	0.45%	10.63%	12.84%	9.88%	-24.55%	3.89%	-3.78%	42.60%	-3.52%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	1.89%	8.22%	16.11%	26.45%	-20.91%	23.53%	-7.87%	31.99%	-7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between PSF and PFFA is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer 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.

Return for Risk

PSF vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSF

PSF Risk / Return Rank: 7
PSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PSF Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
PSF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 33
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	0.89	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.44	1.29	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.16	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.32	1.04	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.02	3.00	-1.98

PSF vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSF Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSF 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.

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSF	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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	-40.76%	-22.70%	-18.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.69%	-2.63%	-6.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.97%	-6.57%	-3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	2.25%	+0.02%

Volatility

PSF vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) is 2.02%, while Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) has a volatility of 2.42%. This indicates that PSF 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

	PSF	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.02%	2.42%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.21%	6.50%	+0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.66%	7.63%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	11.60%	+2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	31.54%	-10.46%

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 7.76%, less than PFFA's 9.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	9.92%	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	7.76%	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 PFFA in my portfolio?

PSF and PFFA have a correlation of 0.49, 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 PFFA?

PFFA has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to PSF (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSF dropped -55.01% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.89 vs 0.27), 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.