PFF vs PFFA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PFFA yields more: 11.16% (dividend yield) against 5.18% for PFF. PFF is cheaper to own at 0.45% a year vs 2.11%. Over the same 8 years (May 2018 to Oct 2026), PFFA returned 6.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and PFF 2.5%.
PFFiShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF5.18%dividend yield| Compared | PFF | PFFA |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 5.18% | 11.16% |
| Expense ratio | 0.45% | 2.11% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −3.8% | −4.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +6.1% | +10.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −0.6% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +2.6% | — |
| Worst drop since May 2018 | -19.7% | -51.3% |
| Share price since May 2018 | −24% | −26% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Virtus |
| Assets | $11.7B | $2.2B |
| Started | 2007 | 2018 |
| Type | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
Higher yield
PFFA
11.16%
Lower cost
PFF
0.45%
Better total return
PFFA
6.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PFF
-19.7%
Key facts: PFF vs PFFA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PFF yields 5.18% (dividend yield) and PFFA yields 11.16% (dividend yield).
- PFF's expense ratio is 0.45% and PFFA's is 2.11%: $45 vs $211 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2018 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PFF grew to $12,321 (2.5% a year) and $10,000 in PFFA to $16,281 (6.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -19.7% for PFF and -51.3% for PFFA.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PFF vs PFFA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/pff-vs-pffa
$10,000 in each, May 2018 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
PFF became
$12,321
2.5% a year
PFFA became
$16,281
6.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | PFF | PFFA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.9% | +8.2% |
| 2024 | +7.3% | +16.1% |
| 2023 | +9.2% | +26.5% |
| 2022 | −18.2% | −20.9% |
| 2021 | +7.1% | +23.5% |
| 2020 | +7.9% | −7.9% |
| 2019 | +15.9% | +31.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
PFF
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.3%
PFFA
- Holdings not reported.
PFF vs PFFA: questions
Is PFF or PFFA better?
It depends on the job. PFFA pays more today (11.16% vs 5.18%), PFF costs less, and PFFA has the better total return over May 2018 to Oct 2026, with PFF holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFF or PFFA?
PFFA, at 11.16% against 5.18% for PFF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,116 vs $518 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PFFA. From May 2018 to Oct 2026, it returned 6.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.5% for PFF. $10,000 became $16,281 vs $12,321.
Which is cheaper, PFF or PFFA?
PFF, with a 0.45% expense ratio against 2.11%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. PFF leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.