PFFR vs SPY
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PFFR or SPY?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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 | PFFR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $120M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.37% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 112 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -1.24% | +12.99%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.79% | +16.73%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.28% | +22.52%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.29% | +13.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.2% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,146 | $18,481Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2017 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2017 to Sep 23, 2026 (9.6 years).
PFFR vs SPY 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
PFFR vs SPY Performance
InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (PFFR) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year PFFR returned -2.79% while SPY returned +16.73%. Year to date, PFFR is down 1.24% versus a gain of 12.99% for SPY.
Over three years, PFFR compounded at +7.28% per year against +22.52% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +0.29% and +13.07% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.26% annualized vs +0.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.3% for PFFR. 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 -54.2% for PFFR and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFFR charges 0.45% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $9 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFFR currently yields 8.37% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 83 holdings in PFFR and 504 in SPY, totalling 72.3% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 83 positions we hold weights for in PFFR and 504 in SPY, against full books of 112 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFFR and SPY 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, PFFR or SPY?
PFFR has an expense ratio of 0.45% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFFR or SPY?
Over the past year PFFR returned -2.79% vs +16.73% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), PFFR annualized +0.22% vs +14.26% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFFR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.3% for PFFR. Worst drawdown: PFFR -54.2% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both PFFR and SPY?
PFFR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFFR or SPY?
PFFR yields 8.37% while SPY yields 0.98%, so PFFR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PFFR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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.