PEX vs. PBDC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PEX (ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF) and PBDC (Putnam BDC Income ETF) are both Financials Equities funds. PEX is passively managed, while PBDC is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PEX returned 3.61%/yr vs 7.76%/yr for PBDC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEX charges 3.13%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PBDC.

Performance

PEX vs. PBDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEX achieves a -12.48% return, which is significantly lower than PBDC's -9.74% return.

PEX

• 1D: -2.88%
• 1M: -5.57%
• YTD: -12.48%
• 6M: -10.90%
• 1Y: -12.90%
• 3Y*: 3.61%
• 5Y*: -1.12%
• 10Y*: 4.13%

PBDC

• 1D: -2.15%
• 1M: -6.53%
• YTD: -9.74%
• 6M: -10.38%
• 1Y: -10.30%
• 3Y*: 7.76%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PEX vs. PBDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	-12.48%	0.21%	13.05%	23.11%	13.33%
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	-9.74%	-1.77%	19.43%	30.52%	10.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PEX and PBDC is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2022	0.82

The correlation between PEX and PBDC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

PEX vs. PBDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PEX	PBDC
Financial Services	96.7%	100.0%
Industrials	1.5%	-
Healthcare	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PEX vs. PBDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEX

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

PBDC

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

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.

PEX vs. PBDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC). 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.

	PEX	PBDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.83	-0.56	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.09	-0.69	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	0.92	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	-0.51	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.06	-0.94	-0.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PEX vs. PBDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.83, which is lower than the PBDC Sharpe Ratio of -0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEX and PBDC, 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

	PEX	PBDC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.83	-0.56	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.73	-0.48

Drawdowns

PEX vs. PBDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEX drawdown since its inception was -49.17%, which is greater than PBDC's maximum drawdown of -20.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEX and PBDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEX	PBDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.17%	-20.47%	-28.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-20.15%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	-20.47%	-4.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.90%	-17.21%	-3.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-4.66%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.22%	10.95%	+1.27%

Volatility

PEX vs. PBDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) is 4.81%, while Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has a volatility of 5.13%. This indicates that PEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEX	PBDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	5.13%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	15.03%	-1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.61%	18.31%	-2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.96%	17.04%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	17.04%	+2.40%

PEX vs. PBDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEX has a 3.13% expense ratio, which is higher than PBDC's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEX vs. PBDC - Dividend Comparison

PEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.81%, more than PBDC's 11.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	11.69%	10.53%	9.29%	9.86%	3.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	12.81%	12.80%	14.11%	13.02%	1.77%	13.64%	5.52%	7.94%	4.72%	24.26%	3.24%	12.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEX and PBDC in my portfolio?

PEX and PBDC have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEX or PBDC?

PBDC has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to PEX (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEX dropped -49.17% vs PBDC's -20.47%.

Which ETF is better, PEX or PBDC?

On 3-year performance, PBDC leads with 7.76% vs 3.61% for PEX. On fees, PBDC is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, PEX has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEX or PBDC?

Over the 3-year period, PBDC has performed better with a 7.76% return vs 3.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEX or PBDC?

PBDC is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 3.13% for PEX.

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

PEX has the higher dividend yield at 12.81%, compared with 11.69% for PBDC.

What is the main difference between PEX and PBDC?

They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Putnam. Their fees differ too: 3.13% for PEX and 0.75% for PBDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PBDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.56 vs -0.83), 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.