PFFA vs VYM
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PFFA or VYM?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.11% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 197 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.00% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.60% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.00% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.70% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,194 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 15, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 16, 2018 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.3 years).
PFFA vs VYM 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
PFFA vs VYM Performance
Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFFA returned +5.60% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, PFFA is up 3.00% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, PFFA compounded at +12.00% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.70% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.45% annualized vs +4.22%.
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 15.2% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFFA charges 2.11% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $211 vs $4 annually, a gap of $207 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFFA currently yields 10.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.9% of VYM's money is in holdings PFFA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PFFA, our book for it covers 75.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and PFFA share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in PFFA and 603 in VYM, against full books of 197 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFFA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 2.20% | 1.04% | 1.16% |
| BWABabcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc 7.750% | 2.04% | 0.06% | 1.98% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 1.80% | 0.21% | 1.59% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.42% | 0.94% | 0.52% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corp. | 1.07% | 0.07% | 1.00% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.20% | 0.76% | 0.56% |
| APOAthene (Ath) / Apollo Global Management (Apo) | 0.64% | 0.21% | 0.43% |
| MTBM&T Bank Corp | 0.43% | 0.15% | 0.28% |
| FFord Motor Co | 0.24% | 0.23% | 0.01% |
| HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 0.02% | 0.25% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFFA and VYM 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 VYM?
PFFA has an expense ratio of 2.11% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $207 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFFA or VYM?
Over the past year PFFA returned +5.60% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PFFA annualized +4.22% vs +10.45% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFFA or VYM?
PFFA has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 15.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PFFA -70.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both PFFA and VYM?
PFFA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 VYM?
At least 3.9% of VYM's money is in holdings PFFA also owns. Our book for PFFA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in PFFA and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFFA or VYM?
PFFA yields 10.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so PFFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PFFA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.