WLDN vs. PREF

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

WLDN (Willdan Group, Inc.) is a stock, while PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. Over the past 5 years, WLDN returned 13.75%/yr vs 2.94%/yr for PREF. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WLDN vs. PREF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WLDN achieves a -29.87% return, which is significantly lower than PREF's 2.08% return.

WLDN

• 1D: -3.04%
• 1M: -21.56%
• 6M: -45.66%
• YTD: -29.87%
• 1Y: -8.75%
• 3Y*: 55.89%
• 5Y*: 13.75%
• 10Y*: 20.64%

PREF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.29%
• 6M: 1.65%
• YTD: 2.08%
• 1Y: 5.71%
• 3Y*: 8.95%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: —

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

WLDN vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WLDN Willdan Group, Inc.	-29.87%	172.14%	77.16%	20.45%	-49.29%	-15.59%	31.21%	-9.15%	46.12%	-28.11%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	2.08%	7.64%	11.43%	7.36%	-11.80%	2.08%	7.52%	17.32%	-5.45%	2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between WLDN and PREF 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	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2017	0.20

Return for Risk

WLDN vs. PREF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLDN

WLDN Risk / Return Rank: 39
WLDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
WLDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
WLDN Omega Ratio Rank: 41
WLDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
WLDN Martin Ratio Rank: 38

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 70
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

WLDN vs. PREF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). 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.

	WLDN	PREF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.13	1.84	-1.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.27	2.64	-2.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.37	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	1.99	-2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.33	10.33	-10.66

WLDN vs. PREF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLDN Sharpe Ratio is -0.13, which is lower than the PREF Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLDN and PREF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

WLDN vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLDN drawdown since its inception was -89.19%, which is greater than PREF's maximum drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLDN and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLDN	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.19%	-22.99%	-66.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.41%	-2.88%	-47.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.41%	-4.39%	-46.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.59%	-16.99%	-55.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.12%	-0.21%	-45.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.34%	-3.61%	-38.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.86%	0.55%	+26.31%

Volatility

WLDN vs. PREF - Volatility Comparison

Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) has a higher volatility of 11.35% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) at 0.53%. This indicates that WLDN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PREF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WLDN	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.35%	0.53%	+10.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.85%	2.47%	+47.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.20%	3.11%	+62.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	56.03%	4.87%	+51.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.23%	6.26%	+47.97%

Dividends

WLDN vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

WLDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PREF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.20%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.20%	4.87%	4.65%	4.67%	4.63%	4.07%	4.35%	4.67%	5.49%	2.35%
WLDN Willdan Group, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WLDN and PREF in my portfolio?

WLDN and PREF 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, WLDN or PREF?

WLDN has higher volatility (11.35%) compared to PREF (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WLDN dropped -89.19% vs PREF's -22.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs -0.13), 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.