PFFA vs PFXF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, PFFA yields more: 11.16% (dividend yield) against 5.58% for PFXF. PFXF is cheaper to own at 0.40% 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 PFXF 4.7%.
| Compared | PFFA | PFXF |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 11.16% | 5.58% |
| Expense ratio | 2.11% | 0.40% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −4.2% | +0.1% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +10.5% | +9.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.6% | +1.5% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +4.3% |
| Worst drop since May 2018 | -51.3% | -19.6% |
| Share price since May 2018 | −26% | −13% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Virtus | VanEck |
| Assets | $2.2B | $2.2B |
| Started | 2018 | 2012 |
| Type | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
Higher yield
PFFA
11.16%
Lower cost
PFXF
0.40%
Better total return
PFFA
6.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
PFXF
-19.6%
Key facts: PFFA vs PFXF
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, PFFA yields 11.16% (dividend yield) and PFXF yields 5.58% (dividend yield).
- PFFA's expense ratio is 2.11% and PFXF's is 0.40%: $211 vs $40 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 PFXF to $14,677 (4.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -51.3% for PFFA and -19.6% for PFXF.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PFFA vs PFXF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/pffa-vs-pfxf
$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
PFXF became
$14,677
4.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | PFFA | PFXF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.2% | +9.6% |
| 2024 | +16.1% | +8.5% |
| 2023 | +26.5% | +11.2% |
| 2022 | −20.9% | −18.9% |
| 2021 | +23.5% | +11.6% |
| 2020 | −7.9% | +7.6% |
| 2019 | +31.9% | +20.5% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
PFFA vs PFXF: questions
Is PFFA or PFXF better?
It depends on the job. PFFA pays more today (11.16% vs 5.58%), PFXF costs less, and PFFA has the better total return over May 2018 to Oct 2026, with PFXF 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 PFXF?
PFFA, at 11.16% against 5.58% for PFXF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,116 vs $558 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 4.7% for PFXF. $10,000 became $16,281 vs $14,677.
Which is cheaper, PFFA or PFXF?
PFXF, with a 0.40% 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. PFXF leads on 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.