BUFSX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUFSX (Buffalo Small Cap Fund) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BUFSX returned 10.83%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for PNSAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BUFSX charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Buffalo Small Cap Fund (BUFSX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFSX achieves a 12.85% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 19.33% return. Over the past 10 years, BUFSX has underperformed PNSAX with an annualized return of 10.83%, while PNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.74% annualized return.

BUFSX

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.85%
• 6M: 11.50%
• 1Y: 19.44%
• 3Y*: 6.33%
• 5Y*: -3.30%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

PNSAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 19.33%
• 6M: 17.46%
• 1Y: 30.89%
• 3Y*: 21.22%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BUFSX Buffalo Small Cap Fund	12.85%	-0.13%	5.38%	5.45%	-30.01%	4.44%	66.49%	40.97%	-5.73%	26.96%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	19.33%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFSX and PNSAX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 1998	0.90

The correlation between BUFSX and PNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BUFSX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUFSX

BUFSX Risk / Return Rank: 17
BUFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
BUFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
BUFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
BUFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
BUFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Buffalo Small Cap Fund (BUFSX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BUFSX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.44	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.06	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.26	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	2.33	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.37	8.14	-2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFSX and PNSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUFSX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	1.44	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.43	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.67	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.44	+0.03

Drawdowns

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFSX drawdown since its inception was -53.24%, smaller than the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFSX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFSX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.24%	-69.47%	+16.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.92%	-14.00%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.39%	-26.25%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.57%	-38.77%	-7.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.74%	-38.77%	-7.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.13%	-1.44%	-21.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-23.55%	+10.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	3.99%	+0.06%

Volatility

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Buffalo Small Cap Fund (BUFSX) is 5.20%, while Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a volatility of 8.08%. This indicates that BUFSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFSX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.20%	8.08%	-2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.68%	18.35%	-4.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.96%	22.60%	-3.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.50%	23.23%	+1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	23.59%	+0.98%

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUFSX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUFSX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

BUFSX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PNSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFSX Buffalo Small Cap Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	13.53%	9.01%	9.14%	31.02%	30.30%	25.19%	70.18%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.36%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.27%	4.87%	1.93%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFSX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, BUFSX and PNSAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BUFSX or PNSAX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.08%) compared to BUFSX (5.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFSX dropped -53.24% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.