IShares Preferred Stock Index Fund ( PFF ): While the stock market in its seasonal weak period and investment grade bonds offer yields barely covering projected inflation, preferred stocks present an opportunity to earn a reasonable return, with moderate risk. Preferred stocks are behind bond holders in the case of bankruptcy; however, the yields more than compensate for the risk with PFF yielding more than 6%. Treasury yields are hobbling along at all-time lows as investors have flocked to them as a safe haven in the face of the European debt crisis and uncertainty in the U.S.