PFF vs PQDI
iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF compared with Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
PFF
iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
PQDI
Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- PQDI yields more today: 5.71% vs 5.60% (forward).
- PQDI has grown its payout faster: 0.5%/yr vs -1.1%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year PQDI delivered the higher total return: +4.1% vs +1.8% (price change plus payouts).
- PFF is cheaper to own: 0.45% vs 0.60% expense ratio.
- PQDI has the steadier distribution: consistency 93/100 vs 69/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | PFF | PQDI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.39 | $19.15 |
| TTM yield | 5.41% | 5.71% |
| Forward yield | 5.60% | 5.71% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.702 | $1.093 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.45% | 0.60% |
| 1-year payout growth | -19.4% | +13.6% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | -1.1% | +0.5% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 2 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 69/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | +1.8% | +4.1% |
| 1-year price return | -3.4% | -1.6% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 13.0B | 111.3M |
| Years paying | 19.4 | 6.1 |
| Sector / category | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| PFF | PQDI | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 329.1 | 522.2 |
| Income per year | $560 | $571 |
| Income per month (avg) | $47 | $48 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model PFF · Model PQDI
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFF Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | $0.1418 | Est. |
| PFF Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | $0.1418 | Est. |
| PFF Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | $0.1418 | Est. |
| PQDI Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $0.0911 | Est. |
| PQDI Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.0911 | Est. |
| PQDI Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.0911 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
PFFPQDI
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, PFF or PQDI?
PQDI currently has the higher trailing yield: PFF yields 5.41% and PQDI yields 5.71%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do PFF and PQDI pay?
PFF pays every month and PQDI pays every month. PFF's next ex-date is Oct 1, 2026 and PQDI's is Oct 1, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, PFF or PQDI?
PQDI has grown its payout faster: 0.5%/yr vs -1.1%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is PFF or PQDI better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. PFF and PQDI differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.