PFF vs PGX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PGX yields more: 6.89% (dividend yield) against 5.18% for PFF. PFF is cheaper to own at 0.45% a year vs 0.50%. Over the same 18 years (Jan 2008 to Oct 2026), PFF returned 3.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and PGX 2.4%.
PFFiShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF5.18%dividend yield| Compared | PFF | PGX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 5.18% | 6.89% |
| Expense ratio | 0.45% | 0.50% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −3.8% | −8.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +6.1% | +4.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −0.6% | −2.5% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +2.6% | +1.5% |
| Worst drop since Jan 2008 | -54.4% | -55.0% |
| Share price since Jan 2008 | −37% | −52% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Invesco |
| Assets | $11.7B | $3.5B |
| Started | 2007 | 2008 |
| Type | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
Higher yield
PGX
6.89%
Lower cost
PFF
0.45%
Better total return
PFF
3.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PFF
-54.4%
Key facts: PFF vs PGX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PFF yields 5.18% (dividend yield) and PGX yields 6.89% (dividend yield).
- PFF's expense ratio is 0.45% and PGX's is 0.50%: $45 vs $50 a year on $10,000.
- From Jan 2008 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PFF grew to $20,050 (3.8% a year) and $10,000 in PGX to $15,644 (2.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -54.4% for PFF and -55.0% for PGX.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PFF vs PGX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/pff-vs-pgx
$10,000 in each, Jan 2008 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
PFF became
$20,050
3.8% a year
PGX became
$15,644
2.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | PFF | PGX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.9% | +3.4% |
| 2024 | +7.3% | +6.6% |
| 2023 | +9.2% | +9.4% |
| 2022 | −18.2% | −21.1% |
| 2021 | +7.1% | +3.1% |
| 2020 | +7.9% | +7.1% |
| 2019 | +15.9% | +17.7% |
| 2018 | −4.6% | −4.1% |
| 2017 | +8.1% | +10.6% |
| 2016 | +1.3% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | +4.3% | +7.9% |
| 2014 | +14.1% | +16.4% |
| 2013 | −1.0% | −2.4% |
| 2012 | +18.2% | +14.4% |
| 2011 | −2.0% | +3.6% |
| 2010 | +13.8% | +11.4% |
| 2009 | +38.4% | +19.7% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
PFF
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.3%
PGX
- Holdings not reported.
PFF vs PGX: questions
Is PFF or PGX better?
It depends on the job. PGX pays more today (6.89% vs 5.18%), PFF costs less, and PFF has the better total return over Jan 2008 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 PGX?
PGX, at 6.89% against 5.18% for PFF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $689 vs $518 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
PFF. From Jan 2008 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.4% for PGX. $10,000 became $20,050 vs $15,644.
Which is cheaper, PFF or PGX?
PFF, with a 0.45% expense ratio against 0.50%.
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 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.