RPRX vs. PFFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RPRX (Royalty Pharma plc) is a stock, while PFFD (Global X U.S. Preferred ETF) is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index. Over the past 5 years, RPRX returned 6.45%/yr vs -0.16%/yr for PFFD. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RPRX vs. PFFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royalty Pharma plc (RPRX) and Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RPRX achieves a 43.64% return, which is significantly higher than PFFD's 2.29% return.

RPRX

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: 9.99%
• YTD: 43.64%
• 6M: 40.16%
• 1Y: 68.67%
• 3Y*: 21.21%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: —

PFFD

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 2.29%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: 7.65%
• 3Y*: 5.10%
• 5Y*: -0.16%
• 10Y*: —

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

RPRX vs. PFFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RPRX Royalty Pharma plc	43.64%	55.29%	-6.36%	-27.08%	0.99%	-19.09%	13.33%
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF	2.29%	3.22%	7.07%	6.85%	-20.20%	5.07%	11.62%

Correlation

The correlation between RPRX and PFFD is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2020	0.23

The correlation between RPRX and PFFD shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (1 year) to 0.24 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RPRX vs. PFFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RPRX

RPRX Risk / Return Rank: 95
RPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
RPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
RPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
RPRX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

PFFD

PFFD Risk / Return Rank: 27
PFFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PFFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PFFD Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PFFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PFFD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

RPRX vs. PFFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royalty Pharma plc (RPRX) and Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD). 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.

	RPRX	PFFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.17	1.07	+2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	1.55	+2.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.19	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.35	1.29	+8.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.50	3.81	+19.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RPRX vs. PFFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RPRX Sharpe Ratio is 3.17, which is higher than the PFFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RPRX and PFFD, 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

	RPRX	PFFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.17	1.07	+2.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	-0.01	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.21	+0.01

Drawdowns

RPRX vs. PFFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RPRX drawdown since its inception was -49.68%, which is greater than PFFD's maximum drawdown of -30.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RPRX and PFFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RPRX	PFFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.68%	-30.93%	-18.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.38%	-5.97%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-10.84%	-15.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.44%	-24.45%	-18.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-3.68%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.44%	-6.59%	-19.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	2.01%	+0.92%

Volatility

RPRX vs. PFFD - Volatility Comparison

Royalty Pharma plc (RPRX) has a higher volatility of 6.08% compared to Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) at 2.09%. This indicates that RPRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RPRX	PFFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	2.09%	+3.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.04%	5.32%	+8.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.75%	7.19%	+14.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.92%	10.98%	+12.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.87%	12.76%	+14.11%

Dividends

RPRX vs. PFFD - Dividend Comparison

RPRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than PFFD's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF	6.37%	6.37%	6.42%	6.49%	6.63%	5.09%	5.17%	5.48%	6.21%	1.94%
RPRX Royalty Pharma plc	1.66%	2.28%	3.29%	2.85%	1.92%	1.71%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RPRX and PFFD in my portfolio?

RPRX and PFFD have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RPRX or PFFD?

RPRX has higher volatility (6.08%) compared to PFFD (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RPRX dropped -49.68% vs PFFD's -30.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RPRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.17 vs 1.07), 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.