VNQI vs. PFF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VNQI (Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNQI is a REIT fund tracking the S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while PFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQI returned 2.19%/yr vs 3.27%/yr for PFF. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VNQI charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.

Performance

VNQI vs. PFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VNQI achieves a -3.93% return, which is significantly lower than PFF's 2.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQI has underperformed PFF with an annualized return of 2.19%, while PFF has yielded a comparatively higher 3.27% annualized return.

VNQI

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -7.71%
• YTD: -3.93%
• 6M: -1.82%
• 1Y: 3.28%
• 3Y*: 7.32%
• 5Y*: -2.20%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

PFF

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: 2.07%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 8.08%
• 3Y*: 6.61%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: 3.27%

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

VNQI vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	-3.93%	21.38%	-2.22%	6.99%	-22.94%	5.93%	-7.22%	21.59%	-9.44%	26.91%
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	2.07%	4.87%	7.24%	9.22%	-18.19%	7.15%	7.89%	15.93%	-4.64%	8.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQI and PFF is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2010	0.51

The correlation between VNQI and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

VNQI vs. PFF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VNQI	PFF
Real Estate	91.2%	10.5%
Financial Services	1.9%	51.6%
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	1.3%
Industrials	0.7%	5.6%
Energy	0.3%	0.4%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.6%
Technology	0.2%	4.9%
Utilities	0.1%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	1.2%
Healthcare	0.0%	1.4%
Communication Services	-	3.4%

Return for Risk

VNQI vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNQI

VNQI Risk / Return Rank: 13
VNQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
VNQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
VNQI Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VNQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
VNQI Martin Ratio Rank: 13

PFF

PFF Risk / Return Rank: 35
PFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PFF Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PFF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

VNQI vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF). 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.

	VNQI	PFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.24	1.19	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.44	1.71	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.21	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.22	1.54	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.66	4.73	-4.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VNQI vs. PFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQI Sharpe Ratio is 0.24, which is lower than the PFF Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQI and PFF, 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

	VNQI	PFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24	1.19	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.13	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14	0.26	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.21	-0.01

Drawdowns

VNQI vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQI drawdown since its inception was -38.35%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQI and PFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQI	PFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.35%	-65.55%	+27.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.78%	-5.28%	-9.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-10.63%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.75%	-21.05%	-14.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.35%	-34.10%	-4.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.24%	-1.93%	-11.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-5.76%	-5.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.99%	1.71%	+3.28%

Volatility

VNQI vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) has a higher volatility of 3.90% compared to iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) at 2.20%. This indicates that VNQI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNQI	PFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	2.20%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.61%	5.17%	+6.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.61%	6.84%	+6.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.52%	10.31%	+5.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.07%	12.67%	+3.40%

VNQI vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNQI has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

VNQI vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison

VNQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, less than PFF's 5.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF	5.52%	6.30%	6.32%	6.63%	6.01%	4.45%	4.79%	5.31%	6.32%	5.59%	5.85%	5.76%
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	4.90%	4.70%	5.16%	3.74%	0.57%	6.48%	0.93%	7.58%	4.62%	3.86%	5.18%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VNQI and PFF in my portfolio?

VNQI and PFF have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNQI or PFF?

VNQI has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to PFF (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQI dropped -38.35% vs PFF's -65.55%.

Which ETF is better, VNQI or PFF?

On 10-year performance, PFF leads with 3.27% vs 2.19% for VNQI. On fees, VNQI is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, PFF has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNQI or PFF?

Over the 10-year period, PFF has performed better with a 3.27% return vs 2.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNQI or PFF?

VNQI is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for PFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VNQI or PFF?

PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.52%, compared with 4.90% for VNQI.

What is the main difference between VNQI and PFF?

VNQI is categorized as REIT, while PFF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. VNQI tracks S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VNQI and 0.46% for PFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.24), 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.