SEIX vs. PFRL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) and PFRL (PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF) are both Bank Loan funds. SEIX is passively managed, while PFRL is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEIX returned 8.17%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for PFRL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEIX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for PFRL.

Performance

SEIX vs. PFRL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) and PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEIX achieves a 2.09% return, which is significantly higher than PFRL's 1.96% return.

SEIX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 2.09%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 6.07%
• 3Y*: 8.17%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: —

PFRL

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.91%
• 1Y: 6.46%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEIX vs. PFRL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	2.09%	5.10%	8.42%	12.51%	2.17%
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	1.96%	6.25%	9.40%	13.75%	1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIX and PFRL is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2022	0.36

The correlation between SEIX and PFRL shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (3 years) to 0.42 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SEIX vs. PFRL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIX

SEIX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

PFRL

PFRL Risk / Return Rank: 91
PFRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PFRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PFRL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PFRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PFRL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

SEIX vs. PFRL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) and PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL). 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.

	SEIX	PFRL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.79	3.35	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.16	4.84	+1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.86	1.73	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.39	5.17	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.57	17.58	+3.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEIX vs. PFRL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.79, which is comparable to the PFRL Sharpe Ratio of 3.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIX and PFRL, 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

	SEIX	PFRL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79	3.35	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	1.67	-0.43

Drawdowns

SEIX vs. PFRL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIX drawdown since its inception was -17.51%, which is greater than PFRL's maximum drawdown of -8.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIX and PFRL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIX	PFRL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.51%	-8.83%	-8.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-1.25%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.01%	-8.83%	+5.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.03%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-0.44%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.37%	-0.09%

Volatility

SEIX vs. PFRL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) is 0.35%, while PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) has a volatility of 0.42%. This indicates that SEIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFRL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEIX	PFRL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.42%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.28%	1.58%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61%	1.94%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.93%	4.86%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.34%	4.86%	-0.52%

SEIX vs. PFRL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than PFRL's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIX vs. PFRL - Dividend Comparison

SEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, more than PFRL's 6.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	6.83%	7.34%	8.96%	9.84%	3.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	7.25%	7.52%	8.09%	8.74%	5.76%	4.16%	3.75%	3.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIX and PFRL in my portfolio?

SEIX and PFRL have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIX or PFRL?

PFRL has higher volatility (0.42%) compared to SEIX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIX dropped -17.51% vs PFRL's -8.83%.

Which ETF is better, SEIX or PFRL?

On 3-year performance, PFRL leads with 8.85% vs 8.17% for SEIX. On fees, SEIX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIX or PFRL?

Over the 3-year period, PFRL has performed better with a 8.85% return vs 8.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIX or PFRL?

SEIX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for PFRL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEIX or PFRL?

SEIX has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 6.83% for PFRL.

What is the main difference between SEIX and PFRL?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for SEIX and 0.72% for PFRL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.79 vs 3.35), 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.