SBAR vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SBAR (Simplify Barrier Income ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SBAR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify, while PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index. SBAR is actively managed, while PFF is passively managed. Over the past year, SBAR returned 12.00% vs 9.35% for PFF. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SBAR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

SBAR vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBAR achieves a 2.69% return, which is significantly lower than PFF's 2.93% return.

SBAR

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 6M: 4.14%
• 1Y: 12.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PFF

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 2.93%
• 6M: 3.41%
• 1Y: 9.35%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 1.50%
• 10Y*: 3.30%

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

SBAR vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SBAR Simplify Barrier Income ETF	2.69%	13.80%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	2.93%	10.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SBAR and PFF is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2025	0.52

The correlation between SBAR and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

SBAR vs. PFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SBAR	PFF
Financial Services	82.0%	52.3%
Technology	33.1%	4.4%
Communication Services	10.7%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	1.3%
Healthcare	9.8%	1.3%
Industrials	8.7%	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	1.2%
Energy	3.5%	0.4%
Utilities	2.5%	8.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	10.7%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.6%

Return for Risk

SBAR vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBAR

SBAR Risk / Return Rank: 41
SBAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
SBAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SBAR Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SBAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SBAR Martin Ratio Rank: 50

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 36
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

SBAR vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). 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.

	SBAR	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	1.39	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	2.01	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	1.78	+0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	5.51	+2.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SBAR vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBAR and PFF, 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

	SBAR	PFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.35	1.39	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.52	0.21	+1.31

Drawdowns

SBAR vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBAR drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBAR and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBAR	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-65.55%	+60.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.32%	-5.28%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.63%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.05%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-1.11%	+0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.93%	-5.77%	+4.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.43%	1.70%	-0.27%

Volatility

SBAR vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) has a higher volatility of 2.29% compared to iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) at 2.09%. This indicates that SBAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBAR	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	2.09%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.66%	5.09%	+0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.97%	6.75%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.80%	10.30%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.80%	12.66%	-2.86%

SBAR vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBAR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBAR vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

SBAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.68%, more than PFF's 5.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.47%	6.30%	6.32%	6.63%	6.01%	4.45%	4.79%	5.31%	6.32%	5.59%	5.85%	5.76%
SBAR Simplify Barrier Income ETF	12.68%	8.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBAR and PFF in my portfolio?

SBAR and PFF have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBAR or PFF?

SBAR has higher volatility (2.29%) compared to PFF (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBAR dropped -5.32% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, SBAR or PFF?

On 1-year performance, SBAR leads with 12.00% vs 9.35% for PFF. On fees, PFF is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBAR or PFF?

Over the 1-year period, SBAR has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 9.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBAR or PFF?

PFF is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SBAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SBAR or PFF?

SBAR has the higher dividend yield at 12.68%, compared with 5.47% for PFF.

What is the main difference between SBAR and PFF?

SBAR is categorized as Derivative Income, while PFF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SBAR and 0.46% for PFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 1.35), 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.