PACAX vs. PSDYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PACAX (Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund) and PSDYX (Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Putnam, while PSDYX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PACAX returned 5.18%/yr vs 2.53%/yr for PSDYX. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PACAX charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for PSDYX.

Performance

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund (PACAX) and Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund (PSDYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PACAX achieves a 3.96% return, which is significantly higher than PSDYX's 1.43% return. Over the past 10 years, PACAX has outperformed PSDYX with an annualized return of 5.18%, while PSDYX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.53% annualized return.

PACAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 3.96%
• 6M: 4.37%
• 1Y: 12.24%
• 3Y*: 10.27%
• 5Y*: 4.17%
• 10Y*: 5.18%

PSDYX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.82%
• 1Y: 4.39%
• 3Y*: 4.87%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 2.53%

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

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PACAX Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund	3.96%	10.62%	9.30%	11.24%	-14.68%	5.64%	10.05%	11.82%	-4.78%	9.72%
PSDYX Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund	1.43%	4.99%	5.25%	4.78%	0.61%	0.07%	1.50%	2.86%	1.95%	1.40%

Correlation

The correlation between PACAX and PSDYX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.11

The correlation between PACAX and PSDYX shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (all time) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PACAX vs. PSDYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PACAX

PACAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
PACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
PACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

PSDYX

PSDYX Risk / Return Rank: 98
PSDYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PSDYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PSDYX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PSDYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PSDYX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund (PACAX) and Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund (PSDYX). 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.

	PACAX	PSDYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	3.18	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	10.05	-6.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	3.30	-1.85
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	8.96	-5.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.02	44.19	-30.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PACAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the PSDYX Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PACAX and PSDYX, 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

	PACAX	PSDYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	3.18	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	2.61	-2.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	2.41	-1.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	2.19	-1.32

Drawdowns

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PACAX drawdown since its inception was -32.99%, which is greater than PSDYX's maximum drawdown of -2.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PACAX and PSDYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PACAX	PSDYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.99%	-2.58%	-30.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.94%	-0.49%	-3.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.83%	-0.49%	-7.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.06%	-0.80%	-18.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.06%	-2.58%	-16.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-0.07%	-2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	0.10%	+0.79%

Volatility

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund (PACAX) has a higher volatility of 1.81% compared to Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund (PSDYX) at 0.38%. This indicates that PACAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSDYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PACAX	PSDYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	0.38%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.17%	0.93%	+3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.21%	1.39%	+3.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.27%	1.30%	+5.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.55%	1.06%	+5.49%

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PACAX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than PSDYX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

PACAX vs. PSDYX - Dividend Comparison

PACAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, less than PSDYX's 4.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PACAX Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund	4.16%	5.00%	4.64%	2.14%	6.18%	4.33%	3.86%	2.37%	4.77%	2.23%	2.39%	7.73%
PSDYX Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund	4.40%	4.65%	4.81%	3.65%	1.30%	0.37%	1.09%	2.51%	2.23%	1.29%	0.88%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PACAX and PSDYX in my portfolio?

PACAX and PSDYX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PACAX or PSDYX?

PACAX has higher volatility (1.81%) compared to PSDYX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PACAX dropped -32.99% vs PSDYX's -2.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSDYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 2.40), 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.