SPFF vs. PAVE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPFF (Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF) and PAVE (Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index, while PAVE is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPFF returned 2.16%/yr vs 17.39%/yr for PAVE. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPFF charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for PAVE.

Performance

SPFF vs. PAVE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPFF achieves a 6.91% return, which is significantly lower than PAVE's 19.88% return.

SPFF

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 6.91%
• 6M: 8.28%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 2.16%
• 10Y*: 3.13%

PAVE

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 1.96%
• YTD: 19.88%
• 6M: 18.87%
• 1Y: 37.15%
• 3Y*: 26.78%
• 5Y*: 17.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPFF vs. PAVE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	6.91%	7.52%	8.62%	3.00%	-14.29%	5.15%	6.91%	13.04%	-2.55%	-0.41%
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	19.88%	19.36%	17.92%	31.01%	-7.17%	36.42%	19.72%	33.26%	-19.15%	14.11%

Correlation

The correlation between SPFF and PAVE 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	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2017	0.48

The correlation between SPFF and PAVE shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (all time) to 0.62 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPFF vs. PAVE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPFF	PAVE
Financial Services	54.4%	-
Technology	18.3%	1.1%
Utilities	14.2%	3.2%
Healthcare	3.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	20.3%
Real Estate	2.1%	-
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Industrials	1.8%	74.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.3%
Energy	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

SPFF vs. PAVE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPFF

SPFF Risk / Return Rank: 53
SPFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SPFF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPFF Martin Ratio Rank: 45

PAVE

PAVE Risk / Return Rank: 59
PAVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
PAVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PAVE Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PAVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
PAVE 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.

SPFF vs. PAVE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE). 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.

	SPFF	PAVE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.99	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.82	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	3.13	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.46	11.50	-4.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPFF vs. PAVE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPFF Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the PAVE Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPFF and PAVE, 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

	SPFF	PAVE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	1.99	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.81	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.68	-0.38

Drawdowns

SPFF vs. PAVE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPFF drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, smaller than the maximum PAVE drawdown of -44.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFF and PAVE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPFF	PAVE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.92%	-44.08%	+8.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-11.91%	+4.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.51%	-26.23%	+13.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.88%	-26.23%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.82%	+1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.06%	-6.24%	+2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	3.24%	-0.75%

Volatility

SPFF vs. PAVE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) is 2.97%, while Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) has a volatility of 6.42%. This indicates that SPFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAVE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPFF	PAVE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	6.42%	-3.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.29%	15.17%	-7.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.53%	18.84%	-9.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.93%	21.60%	-10.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.51%	24.38%	-10.87%

SPFF vs. PAVE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPFF has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than PAVE's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPFF vs. PAVE - Dividend Comparison

SPFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.34%, more than PAVE's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAVE Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF	0.77%	0.92%	0.54%	0.68%	0.84%	0.48%	0.44%	0.67%	0.78%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	6.34%	6.47%	6.39%	6.64%	7.15%	5.78%	5.75%	5.97%	7.60%	7.24%	7.04%	7.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPFF and PAVE in my portfolio?

SPFF and PAVE 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, SPFF or PAVE?

PAVE has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to SPFF (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPFF dropped -35.92% vs PAVE's -44.08%.

Which ETF is better, SPFF or PAVE?

On 5-year performance, PAVE leads with 17.39% vs 2.16% for SPFF. On fees, PAVE is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, SPFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPFF or PAVE?

Over the 5-year period, PAVE has performed better with a 17.39% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPFF or PAVE?

PAVE is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for SPFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPFF or PAVE?

SPFF has the higher dividend yield at 6.34%, compared with 0.77% for PAVE.

What is the main difference between SPFF and PAVE?

SPFF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while PAVE is Utilities Equities. SPFF tracks S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index, while PAVE tracks INDXX U.S. Infrastructure Development Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for SPFF and 0.47% for PAVE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAVE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.96), 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.