PFFA vs PFFD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PFFA yields more: 11.16% (dividend yield) against 5.92% for PFFD. PFFD is cheaper to own at 0.23% 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 PFFD 1.7%.
| Compared | PFFA | PFFD |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 11.16% | 5.92% |
| Expense ratio | 2.11% | 0.23% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −4.2% | −5.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +10.5% | +5.1% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.6% | −2.3% |
| Worst drop since May 2018 | -51.3% | -23.5% |
| Share price since May 2018 | −26% | −30% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Virtus | Global X |
| Assets | $2.2B | $1.8B |
| Started | 2018 | 2017 |
| Type | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
Higher yield
PFFA
11.16%
Lower cost
PFFD
0.23%
Better total return
PFFA
6.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PFFD
-23.5%
Key facts: PFFA vs PFFD
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PFFA yields 11.16% (dividend yield) and PFFD yields 5.92% (dividend yield).
- PFFA's expense ratio is 2.11% and PFFD's is 0.23%: $211 vs $23 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2018 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in PFFA grew to $16,281 (6.0% a year) and $10,000 in PFFD to $11,555 (1.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -51.3% for PFFA and -23.5% for PFFD.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PFFA vs PFFD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/pffa-vs-pffd
$10,000 in each, May 2018 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
PFFA became
$16,281
6.0% a year
PFFD became
$11,555
1.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | PFFA | PFFD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.2% | +3.2% |
| 2024 | +16.1% | +7.0% |
| 2023 | +26.5% | +6.9% |
| 2022 | −20.9% | −20.2% |
| 2021 | +23.5% | +5.1% |
| 2020 | −7.9% | +8.9% |
| 2019 | +31.9% | +17.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
PFFA vs PFFD: questions
Is PFFA or PFFD better?
It depends on the job. PFFA pays more today (11.16% vs 5.92%), PFFD costs less, and PFFA has the better total return over May 2018 to Oct 2026, with PFFD 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, PFFA or PFFD?
PFFA, at 11.16% against 5.92% for PFFD as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,116 vs $592 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 1.7% for PFFD. $10,000 became $16,281 vs $11,555.
Which is cheaper, PFFA or PFFD?
PFFD, with a 0.23% expense ratio against 2.11%.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. PFFA leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.