Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: CSB is ratedTier 3 (Specialty)while PFF is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).PFF is structurally lower risk than CSB.
| Metric | CSB | PFF |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 0.00% | 2.50% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | 0.00% | -9.74% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
CSB (VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF) is a sector-specific income fund managed by Victory Capital Management Inc.. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $260.6M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by iShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $14.0B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of CSB vs PFF, the choice depends on your specific goal. PFF wins for Immediate Income with a 2.50% yield. However, PFF is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
CSB
Annual Yield: 1.89%
$157/mo
($1,889/year)
Frequency: monthly
PFF
Annual Yield: 2.50%
$208/mo
($2,499/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: PFF generates $610/year more than CSB on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $12,196 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. PFF has delivered a superior Total Return of 2.50% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.