PREFvsPQDIETF Comparison
ETF 1
PREF
Principal Spectrum Preferred Securities Active ETF
VS
Principal Spectrum Preferred Securities Active ETF (PREF) belongs to the segment. Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is part of the Multi-Asset: Other segment. PREF's top 3 sector exposures are Finance, Utilities and Energy. In contrast, PQDI's top sector exposures are Finance, Telecommunications and Non-Corporate. PREF is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.55%, versus 0.6% for PQDI. PREF is up 2.02% year-to-date (YTD) with +$495M in YTD flows. PQDI performs worse with 1.47% YTD performance, and +$46M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of PREF and PQDI below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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PREF vs PQDI performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/03/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | PREF PQDI | +0.19%-0.01% | +0.33%+0.37% | +2.02%+1.47% | +4.63%+4.68% | +28.38%+28.04% | +14.90%+16.16% |
| Flows | PREF PQDI | +$107M+$41M | +$179M+$43M | +$495M+$46M | +$617M+$53M | +$1.20B+$88M | +$1.48B+$89M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | PREF PQDI | +1.52%+2.11% | +1.87%+2.64% | +2.34%+2.69% | +3.90%+4.99% |
| Max drawdown | PREF PQDI | -0.73%-1.04% | -2.22%-3.08% | -3.65%-3.08% | -16.83%-15.66% |
| Max drawdown duration | PREF PQDI | 59d59d | 90d121d | 59d121d | 1025d1006d |
Trading data
PREF | PQDI | |
Last sale 9/4/2026 at 4:59 PM | $18.77 | $19.14 |
| Previous close 09/03/2026 | $18.77 | $19.11 |
| Consolidated volume 09/03/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
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Main metrics
Last update 9/4/2026 at 4:59 PM
Live
Closed
PREF | PQDI | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $18.77 | $19.14 |
| 1D performance | -0.03% | +0.14% |
| AuM | $1.88 B | $110.71 M |
| E/R | 0.55% | 0.6% |
Characteristics
PREF | PQDI | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Active |
| Provider | Principal Global Investors | Principal Global Investors |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| N° of holdings | 158 | 88 |
| Asset class | - | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | July 10, 2017 | June 16, 2020 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
PREF
USA
62.89%
Canada
23.27%
Other
13.84%
PQDI
USA
43.73%
Canada
15.75%
United Kingdom
11.36%
France
7.07%
Other
22.09%
Sectors
PREF
Finance
64.64%
Utilities
16.73%
Energy
11.07%
Other
7.56%
PQDI
Finance
94.23%
Other
5.77%
Diversification
PREF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
27.41%
PQDI
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
36.62%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
PREF
Bank of America Corp.
2.68%
Enbridge, 8.5% 15jan2084, USD (2023-B)
2.40%
Metlife, 5.85% 15mar2056, USD
2.37%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 8.125% 31oct2082, USD (3)
2.05%
JP Morgan, 6.5% perp., USD (OO)
1.94%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 8.625% 27oct2082, USD (4)
1.82%
PNC Financial Services Group, 6.25% perp., USD (W)
1.81%
M&T Bank, 3.5% perp., USD (I)
1.68%
US808513CM57
1.65%
Wells Fargo, 6.85% perp., USD (FF)
1.59%
Bank of America Corporation, 6.625% perp., USD (OO)
1.56%
Truist Financial, 6.25% perp., USD (S)
1.49%
Prudential Financial, 3.7% 1oct2050, USD
1.47%
Electricite de France (EDF), 9.125% perp., USD
1.46%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 6.875% 27oct2085, USD (7)
1.44%
PQDI
ING Groep, 7% perp., USD
3.44%
State Street, 6.7% perp., USD (I)
3.36%
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings, 7% perp., USD (DD)
3.35%
Nordea Bank Abp, 6.75% perp., USD
2.70%
Bank of Montreal, 7.3% 26nov2084, USD (5)
2.36%
Bank of America Corporation, 6.625% perp., USD (OO)
2.33%
Credit Agricole SA, 7.125% perp., USD
2.31%
PNC Financial Services Group, 6.25% perp., USD (W)
2.29%
Truist Financial, 4.8% perp., USD (N)
2.27%
Goldman Sachs, 6.125% perp., USD (Y)
2.27%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 6.875% 27oct2085, USD (7)
2.09%
HSBC Holdings plc, 6.95% perp., USD
2.08%
NatWest Group, 7.3% perp., USD
2.04%
JP Morgan, 6.875% perp., USD (NN)
1.92%
Lloyds Banking Group, 6.75% perp., USD
1.81%
Frequently asked questions about PREF and PQDI
How have the PREF and PQDI ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 3, 2026, PREF is up 2.02% year-to-date (YTD), while PQDI has returned 1.47%. That puts PREF better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: PREF or PQDI?
Year-to-date, the PREF ETF saw +$495M in flows, compared to +$46M for PQDI.
Which ETF is more volatile: PREF or PQDI?
Over the past year, PREF had a volatility of 1.87%, while PQDI experienced 2.64%.
Which ETF is bigger: PREF or PQDI?
As of September 3, 2026, PREF holds $1.88 B in assets under management (AUM), while PQDI manages $110.71 M.
What sectors do the PREF and PQDI ETFs invest in?
PREF leans toward sectors like Finance, Utilities and Energy. Meanwhile, PQDI focuses on Finance.
What are the top holdings of the PREF ETF and PQDI ETF?
PREF top holdings include Bank of America Corp., Enbridge, 8.5% 15jan2084, USD (2023-B) and Metlife, 5.85% 15mar2056, USD. PQDI holds in its top three: ING Groep, 7% perp., USD, State Street, 6.7% perp., USD (I) and Citigroup Global Markets Holdings, 7% perp., USD (DD).
Which ETF is more diversified: PREF or PQDI?
PREF holds 160 securities with 27.41% of its assets in the top 15. PQDI has 105 securities and a top 15 weight of 36.62%.
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