Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) Stock Analysis
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) trades at $18.59. Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund is a closed-end management investment company focused on income generation through preferred and income securities. Market cap: $449M, Sector: Financial services.
Price as of Aug 21, 2026 · Last analyzed: Mar 17, 2026Analyst Coverage for NPFD: NPFD does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates NPFD against Financial Services peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns an underweight signal based on the underlying data.
Not enough scored data yet to form a council read on NPFD.
How is this calculated? →Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) Financial Services Profile
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund, based in Chicago, specializes in managing a portfolio of variable-rate preferred securities and income-producing assets. With a dividend yield of 10.20% and a beta of 0.73, the fund offers income opportunities within the asset management sector, balancing risk and return for investors.
What Is the Investment Thesis for NPFD?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund presents an investment case centered on its high dividend yield of 10.20% and stable income generation. The fund's focus on variable-rate preferred securities mitigates interest rate risk, a key advantage in a fluctuating interest rate environment. With a market capitalization of $449M and a P/E ratio of 9.94, the fund trades at a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. The fund's beta of 0.73 suggests lower volatility compared to the broader market, appealing to income-seeking investors. Growth catalysts include increased demand for income-generating assets and effective management of credit risk. However, potential risks include changes in interest rates, credit spreads, and market liquidity, which could impact the fund's performance.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
NPFD Key Highlights
Dividend Yield: 10.20%, providing a high level of income for investors.
- Market Cap: $0.47B, indicating a mid-sized fund within the closed-end fund universe.
- P/E Ratio: 9.94, suggesting a reasonable valuation relative to earnings.
- Profit Margin: 100.6%, reflecting efficient management and income generation.
- Beta: 0.73, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market.
Who Are NPFD's Competitors?
NPFD is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVK Advent Convertible and Income Fund | $12.61 | -0.08% | $557M | 56 |
| CHW Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund | $8.43 | -0.47% | $538M | 45 |
| ETB Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund | $15.60 | -0.38% | $458M | 47 |
| GUG Guggenheim Active Allocation Fund | $14.86 | -0.87% | $490M | 42 |
| HPI John Hancock Preferred Income Fund | $16.00 | -0.56% | $429M | 46 |
| NQP Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund | $12.03 | +0.08% | $448M | 54 |
| UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund | $61.65 | +0.21% | $493M | 61 |
| BLW BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust | $12.69 | -0.55% | $496M | 52 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are NPFD's Key Strengths?
High dividend yield of 10.20%.
- Experienced management team.
- Diversified portfolio of preferred securities.
- Lower volatility compared to the broader market (beta of 0.73).
What Are NPFD's Weaknesses?
Sensitivity to interest rate changes.
- Credit risk associated with preferred securities.
- Potential for market illiquidity.
- Reliance on Nuveen's investment management expertise.
What Could Drive NPFD Stock Higher?
Continued demand for income-generating assets in a low-interest-rate environment.
- Effective management of credit risk and portfolio diversification.
- Potential for interest rate stabilization or decline, benefiting variable-rate securities.
- Expansion of distribution channels to reach a wider investor base.
What Are the Key Risks for NPFD?
Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of 1.13 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).
- Changes in interest rates and credit spreads impacting fund performance.
- Economic downturn leading to credit defaults and reduced income.
- Increased competition from other income funds.
- Regulatory changes affecting preferred securities and closed-end funds.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for NPFD?
- Increased Demand for Income: The aging demographic and persistent low-interest-rate environment are driving increased demand for income-generating assets. Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund, with its high dividend yield of 10.20%, is well-positioned to attract income-seeking investors. The market for income funds is expected to grow as investors seek alternatives to traditional fixed-income investments. Timeline: Ongoing.
- Effective Credit Risk Management: The fund's ability to effectively manage credit risk is a key growth driver. By carefully selecting preferred securities and debt instruments with strong credit profiles, the fund can maintain a stable income stream and protect investor capital. The fund's rigorous credit analysis and risk management processes enhance its appeal to risk-averse investors. Timeline: Ongoing.
- Strategic Asset Allocation: The fund's active management of its asset allocation allows it to capitalize on changing market conditions and optimize income generation. By adjusting the portfolio composition in response to interest rate trends and credit spread movements, the fund can enhance its performance and deliver attractive returns. Timeline: Ongoing.
- Expansion of Distribution Channels: Nuveen can expand the fund's distribution channels to reach a wider investor base. By partnering with financial advisors and wealth management firms, the fund can increase its visibility and attract new investors. The expansion of distribution channels can drive asset growth and enhance the fund's long-term sustainability. Timeline: 1-3 years.
- Product Innovation: Nuveen can develop new investment products and strategies to complement its existing offerings. By launching new funds focused on specific sectors or asset classes, Nuveen can cater to the evolving needs of investors and expand its market share. Product innovation can drive growth and enhance the fund's competitive position. Timeline: 2-5 years.
What Are NPFD's Competitive Advantages?
- Established brand name and reputation.
- Experienced management team with expertise in fixed income.
- Diversified portfolio of preferred securities and debt instruments.
- Access to Nuveen's research and analytical resources.
What Does NPFD Do?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund, established as a closed-end management investment company, focuses on generating current income through strategic investments in variable rate preferred securities and other income-producing assets. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the fund aims to deliver a high level of income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The fund's portfolio typically consists of a diversified mix of preferred stocks and debt instruments, carefully selected to manage credit risk and interest rate sensitivity. The fund's investment strategy involves actively monitoring market conditions and adjusting the portfolio composition to optimize income generation and total return. Nuveen, as the investment advisor, leverages its expertise in fixed income and preferred securities to manage the fund's assets effectively. The fund's structure as a closed-end fund allows it to invest in less liquid securities, potentially enhancing returns. The fund distributes income to shareholders regularly, reflecting its focus on income generation. The fund's investment approach emphasizes rigorous credit analysis and risk management to protect investor capital while pursuing attractive income opportunities.
What Products and Services Does NPFD Offer?
- Invests in variable rate preferred securities.
- Generates current income for investors.
- Manages a diversified portfolio of preferred stocks and debt instruments.
- Actively monitors market conditions and adjusts portfolio composition.
- Distributes income to shareholders regularly.
- Employs rigorous credit analysis and risk management.
How Does NPFD Make Money?
- Generates income through investments in preferred securities and debt instruments.
- Collects management fees based on assets under management.
- Distributes income to shareholders after deducting expenses.
- Reinvests a portion of earnings to grow assets.
What Industry Does NPFD Operate In?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund operates within the asset management industry, specifically targeting income-seeking investors through preferred and income securities. The industry is characterized by increasing demand for yield in a low-interest-rate environment. Competitors include other closed-end funds such as AVK, CHW, ETB, GUG, and HPI, each with varying investment strategies and risk profiles. The fund's focus on variable-rate securities differentiates it from funds with fixed-rate exposure. The market for preferred securities is influenced by interest rate trends, credit spreads, and regulatory changes.
Who Are NPFD's Key Customers?
- Individual investors seeking income.
- Financial advisors allocating client assets.
- Institutional investors looking for yield.
- Retirement savers needing income streams.
Financial Health
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's Piotroski F-Score is 6/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 1.13 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.
NPFD Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- High dividend yield of 10.20%.
- Experienced management team.
- Diversified portfolio of preferred securities.
- Lower volatility compared to the broader market (beta of 0.73).
Bear Case
- Sensitivity to interest rate changes.
- Credit risk associated with preferred securities.
- Potential for market illiquidity.
- Reliance on Nuveen's investment management expertise.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · August 2026
NPFD Latest News
No recent news available for NPFD.
NPFD Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for NPFD.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for NPFD.
NPFD MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates NPFD 0-100 on quantitative fundamentals — growth, financial health, valuation, momentum, and risk.
Leadership: David Jsoseph Lamb
CEO
David Jsoseph Lamb serves as CEO, bringing extensive experience in the financial services sector. His career spans various leadership roles in asset management and investment banking. Prior to his current position, he held senior management positions at leading financial institutions, where he oversaw portfolio management, risk management, and client relationship management. He holds an MBA from a top-tier business school and is a CFA charterholder. His expertise lies in fixed income securities, preferred stocks, and closed-end fund management.
Track Record: Under David Jsoseph Lamb's leadership, Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund has maintained a consistent dividend yield and navigated challenging market conditions. He has focused on enhancing the fund's risk management processes and optimizing its asset allocation strategy. Key milestones include the successful integration of new investment strategies and the expansion of the fund's investor base.
Common Questions About NPFD (Financial Services)
What does Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund do?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund is a closed-end management investment company that focuses on generating current income by investing primarily in variable rate preferred securities and other income-producing assets. The fund's objective is to provide a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
What are the main risks for NPFD?
The main risks for Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund include interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Interest rate risk arises from the potential for changes in interest rates to negatively impact the value of the fund's investments. Credit risk stems from the possibility that issuers of preferred securities and debt instruments may default on their obligations.
What is Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's credit quality and risk management approach?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's credit quality is a critical factor in its investment strategy. The fund emphasizes rigorous credit analysis to assess the creditworthiness of preferred security and debt instrument issuers. Its risk management approach involves diversifying the portfolio across various sectors and issuers to mitigate concentration risk.
How does Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's variable rate strategy perform in different interest rate environments?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund's focus on variable rate preferred securities is designed to mitigate interest rate risk. In a rising interest rate environment, the variable rates on the fund's investments tend to increase, which can help maintain or even increase the fund's income stream.
What are the key factors to evaluate for NPFD?
Evaluate NPFD on fundamentals, analyst consensus, and risk factors. Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund presents an investment case centered on its high dividend yield of 10.20% and stable income generation. Not financial advice.
How frequently does NPFD data refresh on this page?
NPFD's price was last updated on Aug 21, 2026 and refreshes on page view during U.S. market hours — it is not a real-time exchange feed. Fundamentals update after quarterly filings; the MoonshotScore recalculates nightly; news aggregates continuously.
What has driven NPFD's recent stock price performance?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: High dividend yield of 10.20%. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Should investors consider NPFD overvalued or undervalued right now?
Nuveen Variable Rate Preferred & Income Fund (NPFD) has no trailing P/E available here, so lean on price-to-sales and cash flow in the Financials tab. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- AI analysis is pending and may provide additional insights.
- Investment decisions should be based on individual risk tolerance and financial circumstances.