PCONX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PCONX (Putnam Convertible Securities Fund) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - PCONX is a Convertible Bonds fund managed by Putnam, while PNSAX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PCONX returned 11.99%/yr vs 16.52%/yr for PNSAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PCONX charges 1.03%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX) 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, PCONX achieves a 23.37% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 25.36% return. Over the past 10 years, PCONX has underperformed PNSAX with an annualized return of 11.99%, while PNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.52% annualized return.

PCONX

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 23.37%
• 6M: 21.18%
• 1Y: 33.55%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 6.98%
• 10Y*: 11.99%

PNSAX

• 1D: 2.46%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 25.36%
• 6M: 21.81%
• 1Y: 38.30%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 10.68%
• 10Y*: 16.52%

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

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCONX Putnam Convertible Securities Fund	23.37%	11.97%	12.60%	10.13%	-19.27%	4.23%	44.86%	24.32%	-2.92%	14.41%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	25.36%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PCONX and PNSAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1998	0.87

The correlation between PCONX and PNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PCONX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCONX

PCONX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PCONX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
PCONX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
PCONX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
PCONX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PCONX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 42
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX) 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.

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.

	PCONX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.62	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.26	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.28	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	2.74	+1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.33	9.52	+5.80

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCONX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is higher than the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCONX 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.

Drawdowns

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCONX drawdown since its inception was -47.70%, smaller than the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCONX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCONX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.70%	-69.47%	+21.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-14.00%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-26.25%	+12.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.48%	-38.77%	+13.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.14%	-38.77%	+12.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	0.00%	-0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.29%	-23.51%	+15.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	4.02%	-1.82%

Volatility

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Convertible Securities Fund (PCONX) is 6.29%, while Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a volatility of 8.82%. This indicates that PCONX 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

	PCONX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.29%	8.82%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	19.49%	-6.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.14%	23.77%	-8.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.85%	23.46%	-10.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.13%	23.69%	-10.56%

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCONX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCONX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

PCONX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than PNSAX's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCONX Putnam Convertible Securities Fund	4.45%	6.10%	1.48%	0.99%	0.72%	26.98%	11.62%	7.72%	13.92%	3.48%	2.08%	6.22%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.34%	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 PCONX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

PCONX and PNSAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCONX or PNSAX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.82%) compared to PCONX (6.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCONX dropped -47.70% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCONX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.62), 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.