PBDC vs. INCM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PBDC (Putnam BDC Income ETF) and INCM (Franklin Income Focus ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBDC is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while INCM is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PBDC returned 4.71%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for INCM. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PBDC charges 13.49%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for INCM.

Performance

PBDC vs. INCM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) and Franklin Income Focus ETF (INCM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBDC achieves a -9.20% return, which is significantly lower than INCM's 7.21% return.

PBDC

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -1.02%
• 6M: -8.00%
• YTD: -9.20%
• 1Y: -12.27%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.83%

INCM

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 3.59%
• YTD: 7.21%
• 1Y: 13.56%
• 3Y*: 10.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.50%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
INCM Franklin Income Focus ETF	$12.53M	$12.10M	$11.59M
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	$3.46M	$3.16M	$3.71M

PBDC vs. INCM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	-9.20%	-1.77%	19.43%	16.02%
INCM Franklin Income Focus ETF	7.21%	13.07%	6.80%	5.76%

Correlation

The correlation between PBDC and INCM is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2023	0.45

Return for Risk

PBDC vs. INCM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PBDC

PBDC Risk / Return Rank: 3
PBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
PBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
PBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 2

INCM

INCM Risk / Return Rank: 92
INCM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
INCM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
INCM Omega Ratio Rank: 92
INCM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
INCM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PBDC vs. INCM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) and Franklin Income Focus ETF (INCM). 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.

	PBDC	INCM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	2.43	-3.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.91	3.45	-4.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.45	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	4.17	-4.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.28	16.77	-18.05

PBDC vs. INCM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBDC Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is lower than the INCM Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBDC and INCM, 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

PBDC vs. INCM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBDC drawdown since its inception was -20.47%, which is greater than INCM's maximum drawdown of -7.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBDC and INCM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBDC	INCM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.47%	-7.84%	-12.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.71%	-3.19%	-14.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.47%	-7.84%	-12.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.71%	-0.05%	-16.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-1.07%	-4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.32%	0.79%	+9.53%

Volatility

PBDC vs. INCM - Volatility Comparison

Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to Franklin Income Focus ETF (INCM) at 1.54%. This indicates that PBDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than INCM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBDC	INCM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	1.54%	+2.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.20%	4.35%	+10.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.87%	5.52%	+13.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.00%	7.22%	+9.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.00%	7.22%	+9.78%

PBDC vs. INCM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBDC has a 13.49% expense ratio, which is higher than INCM's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBDC vs. INCM - Dividend Comparison

PBDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.58%, more than INCM's 5.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
INCM Franklin Income Focus ETF	5.21%	4.96%	5.06%	3.01%	0.00%
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	11.58%	10.53%	9.29%	9.86%	3.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBDC and INCM in my portfolio?

PBDC and INCM have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBDC or INCM?

PBDC has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to INCM (1.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBDC dropped -20.47% vs INCM's -7.84%.

Which ETF is better, PBDC or INCM?

On 3-year performance, INCM leads with 10.54% vs 4.71% for PBDC. On fees, INCM is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, INCM has been the lower-risk option at 1.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBDC or INCM?

Over the 3-year period, INCM has performed better with a 10.54% return vs 4.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBDC or INCM?

INCM is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 13.49% for PBDC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBDC or INCM?

PBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.58%, compared with 5.21% for INCM.

What is the main difference between PBDC and INCM?

PBDC is categorized as Financials Equities, while INCM is Diversified Portfolio. Their fees differ too: 13.49% for PBDC and 0.38% for INCM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

INCM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs -0.70), 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.