A side-by-side comparison of iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) and BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF (ZPR) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | PFF | ZPR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -6.37% | +3.57%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.21%✓ | -0.55% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.38%✓ | -0.78% |
| 1-Month Change | -2.71% | -0.08%✓ |
| Current Price | $28.70 | $12.75 |
| AUM | $11.84B✓ | $1.62B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.43% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 5.41%✓ | 5.26% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2007-03-26 | 2012-11-14 |
| Holdings Count | 109 | 2 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Convertible & Preferred Securities | Convertible & Preferred Securities |
| Beta | 0.98 | 1.04 |
| 52-Week High | $31.04 | $13.00 |
| 52-Week Low | $28.58 | $11.08 |
| 50-Day MA | $29.74 | $12.94 |
| 200-Day MA | $30.73 | $12.74 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | PFF | ZPR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -6.37% | +3.57%✓ |
| 1 Year | -4.37% | +12.19%✓ |
| 3 Year | +6.65% | +22.32%✓ |
| 5 Year | -0.24% | +7.32%✓ |
| 10 Year | +2.60% | +7.93%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.35% | 4.09% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.14 | 1.89 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | BOEING CO | 3.05% | |
| 2 | WELLS FARGO & COMPANY SERIES L | 2.16% | |
| 3 | BANK OF AMERICA CORP | 2.43% | |
| 4 | CITIGROUP CAPITAL XIII | 1.18% | |
| 5 | ALBEMARLE CORP | 1.00% | |
| 6 | BRIGHTSPRING HEALTH SERVICES UNITS | 0.77% | |
| 7 | JPMORGAN CHASE & CO | 0.73% | |
| 8 | JPMORGAN CHASE AND CO DS REPSTG T | 0.64% | |
| 9 | JPMORGAN CHASE NON-CUMULATIVE PREF | 0.62% | |
| 10 | STRIVE INC | 0.57% |
| 1 | BCE | BCE Inc Cum Red 1st Pfd Registered Shs Series -AK- | 2.17% |
| 2 | FTS | Fortis Inc Cum Red 1st Pref Shs Series -M- | 1.44% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | PFF | ZPR |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 13.82% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 6.80% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 82.16% | 0.00% |
About PFF
The fund may invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents.
About ZPR
The BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the Solactive Laddered Canadian Preferred Share Index, net of expenses. The Fund invests in and holds the Constituent Securities of the Index in the same proportion as they are reflected in the Index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both PFF and ZPR are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, PFF scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PFF and ZPR?
PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) and ZPR (BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($11.84B vs $1.62B), dividend yield (5.41% vs 5.26%), and year-to-date performance (-6.37% vs +3.57%).
Is PFF better than ZPR?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy PFF and ZPR on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both PFF and ZPR should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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