PFF vs QPFF
iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF vs American Century Quality Preferred ETF
Which is better, PFF or QPFF?
Nearly the same fund. QPFF costs less.
QPFF has a lower expense ratio. QPFF led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PFF | QPFF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.32%Best |
| AUM | $12.1B | $40M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.56% | 6.03% |
| Holdings | 922 | 1 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.3% | 8.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1% | -15.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $11,128 | $11,390Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | American Century Investments |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2007 | Feb 16, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 401 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PFF has data through Oct 14, 2026 and QPFF through Sep 8, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2021 to Sep 8, 2025 (4.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.3% compared with 8.9% for QPFF. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.1% for PFF and -15.2% for QPFF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFF charges 0.45% per year while QPFF charges 0.32%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $32 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFF currently yields 5.56% against 6.03% for QPFF.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFF and QPFF you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PFF or QPFF?
PFF has an expense ratio of 0.45% while QPFF charges 0.32%. QPFF is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PFF or QPFF?
PFF has been the more volatile fund at 11.3% annualized versus 8.9% for QPFF. Worst drawdown: PFF -21.1% vs QPFF -15.2%.
Should I hold both PFF and QPFF?
PFF and QPFF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFF or QPFF?
PFF yields 5.56% while QPFF yields 6.03%, so QPFF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QPFF better than PFF?
QPFF has a lower expense ratio. QPFF led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.