RYSEX vs. PFFD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RYSEX (Royce Special Equity Fund) and PFFD (Global X U.S. Preferred ETF) are both funds - RYSEX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Royce Investment Partners, while PFFD is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA Diversified Core U.S. Preferred Securities Index. Over the past 5 years, RYSEX returned 8.29%/yr vs -0.48%/yr for PFFD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RYSEX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for PFFD.

Performance

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX) 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, RYSEX achieves a 21.03% return, which is significantly higher than PFFD's 1.75% return.

RYSEX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 6.12%
• YTD: 21.03%
• 6M: 18.91%
• 1Y: 36.70%
• 3Y*: 11.09%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.03%

PFFD

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 1.75%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 7.25%
• 3Y*: 5.74%
• 5Y*: -0.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	21.03%	3.66%	2.93%	12.96%	-6.60%	22.24%	7.43%	12.73%	-9.96%	8.26%
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF	1.75%	3.22%	7.07%	6.85%	-20.20%	5.07%	8.90%	17.43%	-3.94%	0.69%

Correlation

The correlation between RYSEX and PFFD is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2017	0.45

The correlation between RYSEX and PFFD shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (all time) to 0.62 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RYSEX vs. PFFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYSEX

RYSEX Risk / Return Rank: 83
RYSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
RYSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RYSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
RYSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
RYSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PFFD

PFFD Risk / Return Rank: 27
PFFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PFFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PFFD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
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.

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX) 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.

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.

	RYSEX	PFFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	0.99	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	1.44	+2.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.17	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.46	1.22	+3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.12	3.57	+10.55

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYSEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the PFFD Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYSEX 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.

Drawdowns

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYSEX drawdown since its inception was -43.25%, which is greater than PFFD's maximum drawdown of -30.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYSEX and PFFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYSEX	PFFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.25%	-30.93%	-12.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.20%	-5.97%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.03%	-10.84%	-12.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.03%	-24.45%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-4.19%	+2.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.34%	-6.57%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.04%	+0.55%

Volatility

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Volatility Comparison

Royce Special Equity Fund (RYSEX) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to Global X U.S. Preferred ETF (PFFD) at 1.99%. This indicates that RYSEX'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

	RYSEX	PFFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	1.99%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	5.46%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	7.36%	+7.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.39%	11.01%	+5.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.43%	12.73%	+4.70%

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

RYSEX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than PFFD's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

RYSEX vs. PFFD - Dividend Comparison

RYSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.21%, more than PFFD's 6.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFFD Global X U.S. Preferred ETF	6.40%	6.37%	6.42%	6.49%	6.63%	5.09%	5.17%	5.48%	6.21%	1.94%	0.00%	0.00%
RYSEX Royce Special Equity Fund	10.21%	12.36%	16.35%	5.32%	12.34%	16.53%	3.70%	11.56%	13.11%	8.24%	7.72%	11.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RYSEX and PFFD in my portfolio?

RYSEX and PFFD have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYSEX or PFFD?

RYSEX has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to PFFD (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYSEX dropped -43.25% vs PFFD's -30.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYSEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 0.99), 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.