SPDV vs. PFLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPDV (AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF) and PFLD (AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDV is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Dividend and Free Cash Flow Yield Index, while PFLD is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE 0-5 Year Duration Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPDV returned 8.27%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for PFLD. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPDV charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for PFLD.

Performance

SPDV vs. PFLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) and AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A (PFLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPDV achieves a 14.63% return, which is significantly higher than PFLD's 2.63% return.

SPDV

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 15.97%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: —

PFLD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 2.63%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 6.20%
• 3Y*: 4.91%
• 5Y*: 1.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPDV vs. PFLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SPDV AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF	14.63%	10.90%	14.40%	5.45%	-2.27%	29.54%	-6.09%	2.36%
PFLD AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A	2.63%	1.44%	5.48%	8.16%	-12.73%	4.49%	5.34%	1.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDV and PFLD is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2019	0.41

The correlation between SPDV and PFLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPDV vs. PFLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDV	PFLD
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	-
Energy	12.3%	-
Technology	11.1%	-
Healthcare	9.7%	-
Financial Services	9.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.1%	-
Real Estate	8.7%	-
Industrials	7.8%	-
Communication Services	7.8%	-
Utilities	5.8%	100.0%
Basic Materials	5.1%	-

Return for Risk

SPDV vs. PFLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDV

SPDV Risk / Return Rank: 76
SPDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SPDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPDV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SPDV Martin Ratio Rank: 74

PFLD

PFLD Risk / Return Rank: 57
PFLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
PFLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PFLD Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PFLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
PFLD Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SPDV vs. PFLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) and AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A (PFLD). 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.

	SPDV	PFLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.83	+0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.99	+0.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.96	2.60	+2.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	11.57	+2.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPDV vs. PFLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is higher than the PFLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDV and PFLD, 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

	SPDV	PFLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	1.83	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.14	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.17	+0.29

Drawdowns

SPDV vs. PFLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDV drawdown since its inception was -43.81%, which is greater than PFLD's maximum drawdown of -33.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDV and PFLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDV	PFLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.81%	-33.20%	-10.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.80%	-2.23%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.62%	-6.41%	-12.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.31%	-15.51%	-5.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	0.00%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-4.18%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	0.50%	+1.51%

Volatility

SPDV vs. PFLD - Volatility Comparison

AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF (SPDV) has a higher volatility of 2.96% compared to AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A (PFLD) at 0.89%. This indicates that SPDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDV	PFLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	0.89%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.16%	2.26%	+5.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.17%	3.42%	+8.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	7.50%	+8.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.32%	13.38%	+6.94%

SPDV vs. PFLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDV has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than PFLD's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPDV vs. PFLD - Dividend Comparison

SPDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than PFLD's 5.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFLD AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF 144A	5.60%	6.52%	7.09%	7.09%	5.76%	4.52%	4.79%	0.82%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDV AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF	3.30%	3.85%	3.54%	3.95%	3.73%	3.08%	3.90%	3.54%	3.63%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDV and PFLD in my portfolio?

SPDV and PFLD have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDV or PFLD?

SPDV has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to PFLD (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDV dropped -43.81% vs PFLD's -33.20%.

Which ETF is better, SPDV or PFLD?

On 5-year performance, SPDV leads with 8.27% vs 1.04% for PFLD. On fees, SPDV is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, PFLD has been the lower-risk option at 0.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDV or PFLD?

Over the 5-year period, SPDV has performed better with a 8.27% return vs 1.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDV or PFLD?

SPDV is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for PFLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPDV or PFLD?

PFLD has the higher dividend yield at 5.60%, compared with 3.30% for SPDV.

What is the main difference between SPDV and PFLD?

SPDV is categorized as Dividend, while PFLD is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. SPDV tracks S&P 500 Dividend and Free Cash Flow Yield Index, while PFLD tracks ICE 0-5 Year Duration Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for SPDV and 0.45% for PFLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.83), 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.