XBB vs. PFF
XBB (BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XBB is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained 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 3 years, XBB returned 8.11%/yr vs 6.69%/yr for PFF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XBB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for PFF.
Performance
XBB vs. PFF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XBB achieves a 1.70% return, which is significantly higher than PFF's 1.44% return.
XBB
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- YTD
- 1.70%
- 6M
- 1.85%
- 1Y
- 5.86%
- 3Y*
- 8.11%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
PFF
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -1.04%
- YTD
- 1.44%
- 6M
- 1.15%
- 1Y
- 7.10%
- 3Y*
- 6.69%
- 5Y*
- 1.03%
- 10Y*
- 3.21%
XBB vs. PFF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.70% | 8.59% | 6.41% | 10.63% | -2.39% |
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 1.44% | 4.87% | 7.24% | 9.22% | -6.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between XBB and PFF 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 | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2022 | 0.67 |
The correlation between XBB and PFF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
XBB vs. PFF — Risk / Return Rank
XBB
PFF
XBB vs. PFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) 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.
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.
| XBB | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.17 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 1.35 | +0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.71 | 4.07 | +4.63 |
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Drawdowns
XBB vs. PFF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XBB drawdown since its inception was -8.87%, smaller than the maximum PFF drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBB and PFF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XBB | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.87% | -65.55% | +56.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.80% | -5.28% | +2.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.86% | -10.63% | +6.77% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -21.05% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.10% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.17% | -2.54% | +2.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.32% | -5.75% | +4.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.68% | 1.75% | -1.07% |
Volatility
XBB vs. PFF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) is 1.17%, while iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) has a volatility of 2.42%. This indicates that XBB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XBB | PFF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.17% | 2.42% | -1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.88% | 5.42% | -2.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.98% | 7.03% | -3.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.09% | 10.35% | -3.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.09% | 12.68% | -5.59% |
XBB vs. PFF - Expense Ratio Comparison
XBB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than PFF's 0.46% expense ratio.
Dividends
XBB vs. PFF - Dividend Comparison
XBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, which matches PFF's 5.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFF iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | 5.55% | 6.30% | 6.32% | 6.63% | 6.01% | 4.45% | 4.79% | 5.31% | 6.32% | 5.59% | 5.85% | 5.76% |
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.54% | 5.42% | 6.35% | 6.15% | 3.73% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XBB and PFF 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.
PFF has higher volatility (2.42%) compared to XBB (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBB dropped -8.87% vs PFF's -65.55%.
On 3-year performance, XBB leads with 8.11% vs 6.69% for PFF. On fees, XBB is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XBB has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, XBB has performed better with a 8.11% return vs 6.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XBB is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for PFF.
PFF has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 5.54% for XBB.
XBB is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while PFF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. XBB tracks ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while PFF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XBB and 0.46% for PFF.
XBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.01), 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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