SPFF vs. PQDI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI).

SPFF and PQDI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SPFF is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index. It was launched on Jul 17, 2012. PQDI is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index. It was launched on Jun 16, 2020. Both SPFF and PQDI are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SPFF vs. PQDI - Performance Comparison

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

SPFF vs. PQDI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	-3.61%	7.52%	8.62%	3.00%	-14.29%	5.15%	14.14%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	-0.68%	8.46%	9.99%	6.24%	-9.61%	3.10%	9.81%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPFF achieves a -3.61% return, which is significantly lower than PQDI's -0.68% return.

SPFF

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -2.63%
• YTD: -3.61%
• 6M: -0.40%
• 1Y: 5.95%
• 3Y*: 4.81%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: 2.55%

PQDI

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: -0.68%
• 6M: 0.73%
• 1Y: 6.50%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: 3.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPFF vs. PQDI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPFF has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than PQDI's 0.60% expense ratio.

PQDI

Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF

SPFF

Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF

Return for Risk

SPFF vs. PQDI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPFF

SPFF Risk / Return Rank: 29
SPFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
SPFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SPFF Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SPFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SPFF Martin Ratio Rank: 27

PQDI

PQDI Risk / Return Rank: 86
PQDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
PQDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PQDI Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PQDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
PQDI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. PQDI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI). 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	PQDI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.53	2.03	-1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.81	2.75	-1.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.43	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	1.93	-1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.09	8.63	-6.54
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. PQDI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPFF Sharpe Ratio is 0.53, which is lower than the PQDI Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPFF and PQDI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPFF	PQDI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53	2.03	-1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.71	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.98	-0.75

Correlation

The correlation between SPFF and PQDI is 0.58, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SPFF vs. PQDI - Dividend Comparison

SPFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.79%, more than PQDI's 5.16% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	6.79%	6.47%	6.39%	6.64%	7.15%	5.78%	5.75%	5.97%	7.60%	7.24%	7.04%	7.50%
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF	5.16%	5.02%	4.93%	5.35%	5.60%	5.21%	2.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SPFF vs. PQDI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPFF drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, which is greater than PQDI's maximum drawdown of -17.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFF and PQDI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPFF	PQDI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.92%	-17.41%	-18.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-3.31%	-4.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.88%	-17.41%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.52%	-2.46%	-4.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-3.59%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	0.74%	+1.91%

Volatility

SPFF vs. PQDI - Volatility Comparison

Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) has a higher volatility of 3.39% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) at 1.87%. This indicates that SPFF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PQDI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPFF	PQDI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	1.87%	+1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.27%	2.49%	+4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.28%	3.22%	+8.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	4.64%	+6.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.46%	4.57%	+8.89%