PSF vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSF (Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PSF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund managed by Cohen & Steers, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PSF returned 4.89%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSF charges 4.28%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PSF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSF achieves a -0.27% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, PSF has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 4.89%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

PSF

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 7.64%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 0.00%
• 10Y*: 4.89%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

PSF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	-0.27%	10.63%	12.84%	9.88%	-24.55%	3.89%	-3.78%	42.60%	-9.01%	16.79%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PSF and SPY is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.34

The correlation between PSF and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.53 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSF

PSF Risk / Return Rank: 12
PSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PSF Omega Ratio Rank: 12
PSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
PSF Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	PSF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.38	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	3.24	-1.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.43	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	3.16	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.59	14.72	-11.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSF Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSF and SPY, 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

	PSF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	2.38	-1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00	0.82	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.87	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.21

Drawdowns

PSF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSF drawdown since its inception was -55.01%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.01%	-55.19%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-8.88%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.23%	-18.76%	+6.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.80%	-24.50%	-16.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.01%	-33.72%	-21.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.34%	-0.70%	-8.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.99%	-9.05%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.91%	+0.22%

Volatility

PSF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund (PSF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.71% and 2.84%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	PSF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.71%	2.84%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.92%	8.90%	-1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.54%	11.83%	-3.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.26%	17.05%	-2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.12%	17.94%	+3.18%

PSF vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSF has a 4.28% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.71%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSF Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund	7.71%	7.46%	7.65%	8.29%	8.65%	9.08%	7.02%	6.55%	8.68%	7.70%	9.35%	8.81%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSF and SPY in my portfolio?

PSF and SPY have a correlation of 0.53, 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to PSF (2.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSF dropped -55.01% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.90), 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.