PFFA vs VTI
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PFFA or VTI?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PFFA is less concentrated, with 23.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | PFFA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.11% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 197 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.72% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.14% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.25% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.89% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 17.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,696 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 16, 2018 to Sep 25, 2026 (8.4 years).
PFFA vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 8.4 years both funds cover.
PFFA vs VTI Performance
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFFA returned -0.14% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, PFFA is down 1.72% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, PFFA compounded at +11.25% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.89% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.67% annualized vs +3.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFFA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.9% compared with 17.0% for VTI. 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 -70.7% for PFFA and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFFA charges 2.11% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $211 vs $3 annually, a gap of $208 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFFA currently yields 9.82% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of PFFA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's money is in holdings PFFA also owns.
PFFA and VTI share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 158 positions we hold weights for in PFFA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 197 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PFFA (97.0% of the fund), and 137 for PFFA that do not appear in VTI (91.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFFA and VTI 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, PFFA or VTI?
PFFA has an expense ratio of 2.11% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $208 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFFA or VTI?
Over the past year PFFA returned -0.14% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PFFA annualized +3.61% vs +13.67% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFFA or VTI?
PFFA has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 17.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PFFA -70.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both PFFA and VTI?
PFFA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PFFA and VTI?
1.2% of PFFA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's is in holdings PFFA also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 158 positions we hold weights for in PFFA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFFA or VTI?
PFFA yields 9.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PFFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PFFA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PFFA is less concentrated, with 23.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.