PFUT vs. BASG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PFUT (Putnam Sustainable Future ETF) and BASG (Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFUT is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada, while BASG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory. Over the past year, PFUT returned 5.74% vs 2.81% for BASG. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFUT charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for BASG.

Performance

PFUT vs. BASG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFUT achieves a 2.26% return, which is significantly higher than BASG's -0.02% return.

PFUT

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 0.79%
• 1Y: 5.74%
• 3Y*: 11.54%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: —

BASG

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: -1.27%
• 1Y: 2.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PFUT vs. BASG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	2.26%	4.43%
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	-0.02%	1.93%

Correlation

The correlation between PFUT and BASG is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2025	0.79

The correlation between PFUT and BASG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFUT vs. BASG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFUT

PFUT Risk / Return Rank: 12
PFUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
PFUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
PFUT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
PFUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PFUT Martin Ratio Rank: 13

BASG

BASG Risk / Return Rank: 11
BASG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BASG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

PFUT vs. BASG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG). 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.

	PFUT	BASG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	0.16	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	0.34	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.04	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.30	0.15	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.86	0.38	+0.48

PFUT vs. BASG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFUT Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is higher than the BASG Sharpe Ratio of 0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFUT and BASG, 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

PFUT vs. BASG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFUT drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than BASG's maximum drawdown of -19.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFUT and BASG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFUT	BASG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-19.30%	-25.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-19.30%	+4.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.90%	-6.09%	-3.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.06%	-5.75%	-15.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.15%	7.46%	-2.31%

Volatility

PFUT vs. BASG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) is 4.56%, while Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that PFUT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BASG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFUT	BASG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	7.01%	-2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.80%	14.01%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	17.19%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.76%	17.07%	+4.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.69%	17.07%	+4.62%

PFUT vs. BASG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFUT has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than BASG's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFUT vs. BASG - Dividend Comparison

Neither PFUT nor BASG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFUT and BASG in my portfolio?

PFUT and BASG have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFUT or BASG?

BASG has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to PFUT (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFUT dropped -44.86% vs BASG's -19.30%.

Which ETF is better, PFUT or BASG?

On 1-year performance, PFUT leads with 5.74% vs 2.81% for BASG. On fees, BASG is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PFUT has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFUT or BASG?

Over the 1-year period, PFUT has performed better with a 5.74% return vs 2.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFUT or BASG?

BASG is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for PFUT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PFUT or BASG?

PFUT and BASG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PFUT and BASG?

PFUT is categorized as Sustainable, while BASG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Brown Advisory. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for PFUT and 0.61% for BASG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFUT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.27 vs 0.16), 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.