PFUT vs. DFAU

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

PFUT (Putnam Sustainable Future ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFUT is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFUT charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

PFUT vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

PFUT

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 1.25%
• 6M: 8.65%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 1Y: 22.14%
• 3Y*: 19.53%
• 5Y*: 12.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFUT vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	2.26%	2.22%	13.60%	29.98%	-33.60%	0.60%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.25%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	12.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PFUT and DFAU 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	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.88

The correlation between PFUT and DFAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

PFUT vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFUT	DFAU
Industrials	28.7%	10.1%
Technology	20.4%	36.0%
Consumer Cyclical	19.0%	10.6%
Healthcare	13.4%	8.3%
Financial Services	6.9%	12.1%
Utilities	5.5%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.4%
Energy	1.2%	4.1%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.4%
Communication Services	0.5%	9.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

PFUT vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFUT

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). 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	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.75	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.42	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.32	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.57	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.19	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	PFUT	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-23.61%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.67%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-0.72%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-4.92%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.98%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PFUT	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.91%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.98%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.70%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.12%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	16.72%	—

PFUT vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFUT has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFUT vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

PFUT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.91%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFUT and DFAU in my portfolio?

PFUT and DFAU 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 ETF is better, PFUT or DFAU?

On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFUT or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for PFUT.

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

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.00% for PFUT.

What is the main difference between PFUT and DFAU?

PFUT is categorized as Sustainable, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for PFUT and 0.12% for DFAU.