PBDC vs. PULT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PBDC (Putnam BDC Income ETF) and PULT (Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBDC is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while PULT is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Putnam. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PBDC returned 8.54%/yr vs 5.45%/yr for PULT. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. PBDC charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for PULT.

Performance

PBDC vs. PULT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBDC achieves a -7.76% return, which is significantly lower than PULT's 1.52% return.

PBDC

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: -4.38%
• YTD: -7.76%
• 6M: -7.02%
• 1Y: -8.11%
• 3Y*: 8.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PULT

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 4.58%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PBDC vs. PULT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	-7.76%	-1.77%	19.43%	22.90%
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	1.52%	5.08%	5.93%	5.46%

Correlation

The correlation between PBDC and PULT is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2023	-0.02

PBDC vs. PULT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PBDC	PULT
Financial Services	100.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	-	0.1%
Communication Services	-	0.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	0.3%
Industrials	-	0.9%
Real Estate	-	1.5%
Technology	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

PBDC vs. PULT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBDC

PBDC Risk / Return Rank: 5
PBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 5

PULT

PULT Risk / Return Rank: 99
PULT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
PULT Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PULT Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PULT Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PULT 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.

PBDC vs. PULT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) and Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT). 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.

	PBDC	PULT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.45	6.72	-7.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.52	15.47	-15.99
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	3.66	-2.72
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.44	25.95	-26.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.82	121.94	-122.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBDC vs. PULT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBDC Sharpe Ratio is -0.45, which is lower than the PULT Sharpe Ratio of 6.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBDC and PULT, 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

	PBDC	PULT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.45	6.72	-7.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	8.83	-8.06

Drawdowns

PBDC vs. PULT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBDC drawdown since its inception was -20.47%, which is greater than PULT's maximum drawdown of -0.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBDC and PULT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBDC	PULT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.47%	-0.34%	-20.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.15%	-0.18%	-19.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.47%	-0.22%	-20.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.39%	0.00%	-15.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-0.02%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.89%	0.04%	+10.85%

Volatility

PBDC vs. PULT - Volatility Comparison

Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) at 0.42%. This indicates that PBDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PULT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBDC	PULT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	0.42%	+4.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.89%	0.54%	+14.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.21%	0.68%	+17.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.01%	0.61%	+16.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.01%	0.61%	+16.40%

PBDC vs. PULT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBDC has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than PULT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBDC vs. PULT - Dividend Comparison

PBDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.44%, more than PULT's 4.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	11.44%	10.53%	9.29%	9.86%	3.40%
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	4.64%	4.59%	5.38%	4.88%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBDC and PULT in my portfolio?

PBDC and PULT have a correlation of 0.02, 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 PULT?

PBDC has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to PULT (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBDC dropped -20.47% vs PULT's -0.34%.

Which ETF is better, PBDC or PULT?

On 3-year performance, PBDC leads with 8.54% vs 5.45% for PULT. On fees, PULT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PULT has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBDC or PULT?

Over the 3-year period, PBDC has performed better with a 8.54% return vs 5.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBDC or PULT?

PULT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PBDC.

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

PBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.44%, compared with 4.64% for PULT.

What is the main difference between PBDC and PULT?

PBDC is categorized as Financials Equities, while PULT is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PBDC and 0.25% for PULT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.72 vs -0.45), 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.