A head-to-head comparison of iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF and VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on PFF.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on PFXF.
Seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated preferred and hybrid securities.
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Asset class
Fixed Income
Equity
Inception date
03/26/2007
07/16/2012
Beta
0.97
0.97
Last dividend
$0.1417
$0.1090
Ex-dividend date
07/01/2026
07/01/2026
Bottom lineChoose PFF if you want fixed-income ballast that steadies the portfolio when stocks fall. Choose PFXF if you want higher current income (7.37% vs 5.57% for PFF).
Most used
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) and PFXF (VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
PFXF offers the higher yield at 7.37% vs 5.57% for PFF. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
PFXF is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.41% compared to 0.46%.
PFF is the larger fund by assets ($13.5B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, PFF would generate roughly $46.42/month, while PFXF would produce $61.42/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
PFF yield5.57%
PFXF yield7.37%
Monthly diff on $10K$15.00
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, PFF would cost approximately $460 in fees vs $410 for PFXF (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
PFF ER0.46%
PFXF ER0.41%
Strategy & risk
PFF is an ETF, while PFXF is an ETF.
PFF beta0.97
PFXF beta0.97
Fund details
PFF is managed by iShares (launched 03/26/2007) with $13.5B in assets. PFXF is managed by VanEck (launched 07/16/2012) with $2.46B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is PFF or PFXF better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. PFXF currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between PFF and PFXF?
PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) is an ETF, while PFXF (VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) is an ETF. They are issued by iShares and VanEck respectively.
Can I hold both PFF and PFXF?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, PFF or PFXF?
PFF has an expense ratio of 0.46% while PFXF charges 0.41%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in PFF vs PFXF generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in PFF would generate roughly $46.42 per month ($557.00 annually). The same in PFXF would produce about $61.42 per month ($737.00 annually).
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