PADLX vs. FAELX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PADLX (Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund) and FAELX (Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past year, PADLX returned 12.72% vs 20.37% for FAELX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PADLX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for FAELX.

Performance

PADLX vs. FAELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) and Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PADLX achieves a 4.61% return, which is significantly lower than FAELX's 9.40% return.

PADLX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 4.61%
• 6M: 4.49%
• 1Y: 12.72%
• 3Y*: 10.18%
• 5Y*: 3.90%
• 10Y*: —

FAELX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 9.08%
• 1Y: 20.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PADLX vs. FAELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.61%	10.83%
FAELX Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund	9.40%	17.33%

Correlation

The correlation between PADLX and FAELX is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.72

The correlation between PADLX and FAELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PADLX vs. FAELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PADLX

PADLX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PADLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PADLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PADLX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FAELX

FAELX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FAELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FAELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FAELX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
FAELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FAELX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PADLX vs. FAELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) and Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PADLX	FAELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.31	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	3.35	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.43	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	3.20	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.62	13.74	+1.88

PADLX vs. FAELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PADLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the FAELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PADLX and FAELX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PADLX vs. FAELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PADLX drawdown since its inception was -18.87%, which is greater than FAELX's maximum drawdown of -11.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PADLX and FAELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PADLX	FAELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.87%	-11.54%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.63%	-7.76%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.63%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.27%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.80%	-1.43%	-3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	1.68%	-0.84%

Volatility

PADLX vs. FAELX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) is 1.83%, while Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX) has a volatility of 4.39%. This indicates that PADLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PADLX	FAELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	4.39%	-2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.90%	9.03%	-5.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.79%	10.78%	-5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.69%	13.20%	-6.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.51%	13.20%	-5.69%

PADLX vs. FAELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PADLX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than FAELX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PADLX vs. FAELX - Dividend Comparison

PADLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.95%, while FAELX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FAELX Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.95%	5.03%	3.71%	2.91%	1.01%	1.45%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PADLX and FAELX in my portfolio?

PADLX and FAELX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PADLX or FAELX?

FAELX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to PADLX (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PADLX dropped -18.87% vs FAELX's -11.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PADLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.31), 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.