SPFF vs. PFXF
SPFF (Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF) and PFXF (VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds - SPFF tracks the S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index while PFXF tracks the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPFF returned 2.96%/yr vs 5.01%/yr for PFXF. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPFF charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for PFXF.
Performance
SPFF vs. PFXF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPFF achieves a 3.79% return, which is significantly lower than PFXF's 4.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SPFF has underperformed PFXF with an annualized return of 2.96%, while PFXF has yielded a comparatively higher 5.01% annualized return.
SPFF
- 1D
- -0.56%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 3.79%
- 6M
- 2.73%
- 1Y
- 13.39%
- 3Y*
- 8.52%
- 5Y*
- 1.52%
- 10Y*
- 2.96%
PFXF
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- -2.14%
- YTD
- 4.20%
- 6M
- 3.47%
- 1Y
- 13.02%
- 3Y*
- 9.04%
- 5Y*
- 3.56%
- 10Y*
- 5.01%
SPFF vs. PFXF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 3.79% | 7.52% | 8.62% | 3.00% | -14.29% | 5.15% | 6.91% | 13.04% | -2.55% | 1.80% |
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 4.20% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 11.20% | -18.83% | 11.61% | 7.61% | 20.52% | -4.17% | 7.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPFF and PFXF is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2012 | 0.69 |
The correlation between SPFF and PFXF shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (all time) to 0.81 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SPFF vs. PFXF — Risk / Return Rank
SPFF
PFXF
SPFF vs. PFXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF). 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.
| SPFF | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.24 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.78 | 2.24 | -0.47 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.32 | 7.30 | -1.98 |
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Drawdowns
SPFF vs. PFXF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPFF drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, roughly equal to the maximum PFXF drawdown of -35.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFF and PFXF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPFF | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.92% | -35.49% | -0.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.58% | -5.83% | -1.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.51% | -11.90% | -0.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.88% | -21.80% | -1.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.92% | -35.49% | -0.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.11% | -4.91% | +1.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.05% | -3.90% | -0.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.52% | 1.79% | +0.73% |
Volatility
SPFF vs. PFXF - Volatility Comparison
Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) have volatilities of 3.75% and 3.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SPFF | PFXF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.75% | 3.82% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.74% | 7.38% | +0.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.00% | 9.47% | +0.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.03% | 11.01% | +0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.53% | 13.25% | +0.28% |
SPFF vs. PFXF - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPFF has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than PFXF's 0.41% expense ratio.
Dividends
SPFF vs. PFXF - Dividend Comparison
SPFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.53%, more than PFXF's 6.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.34% | 6.72% | 7.82% | 7.88% | 6.74% | 4.66% | 5.19% | 5.35% | 6.56% | 5.93% | 5.81% | 5.99% |
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF | 6.53% | 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
SPFF and PFXF have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFXF has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to SPFF (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPFF dropped -35.92% vs PFXF's -35.49%.
On 10-year performance, PFXF leads with 5.01% vs 2.96% for SPFF. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.41% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, PFXF has performed better with a 5.01% return vs 2.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFXF is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for SPFF.
SPFF has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 6.34% for PFXF.
SPFF tracks S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index, while PFXF tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities ex Financials Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for SPFF and 0.41% for PFXF.
PFXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.36), 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.
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