PFUT vs. PLDR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PFUT (Putnam Sustainable Future ETF) and PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) are both Sustainable funds from Power Corporation of Canada. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFUT returned 1.34%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for PLDR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFUT charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for PLDR.

Performance

PFUT vs. PLDR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PFUT having a 5.04% return and PLDR slightly higher at 5.06%.

PFUT

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 4.50%
• YTD: 5.04%
• 6M: 2.60%
• 1Y: 8.33%
• 3Y*: 12.50%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: —

PLDR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 5.06%
• 6M: 4.72%
• 1Y: 21.37%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFUT vs. PLDR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	5.04%	2.22%	13.60%	29.98%	-33.60%	0.62%
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	5.06%	12.03%	23.47%	27.47%	-22.52%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PFUT and PLDR is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.89

The correlation between PFUT and PLDR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

PFUT vs. PLDR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFUT	PLDR
Industrials	29.0%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	21.5%	8.8%
Technology	15.3%	24.1%
Healthcare	14.0%	4.9%
Financial Services	7.7%	6.9%
Utilities	5.8%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	5.2%
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.4%
Energy	0.9%	2.8%
Communication Services	0.5%	12.0%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

PFUT vs. PLDR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFUT

PFUT Risk / Return Rank: 16
PFUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PFUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
PFUT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
PFUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PFUT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

PLDR

PLDR Risk / Return Rank: 44
PLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. PLDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR). 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.

	PFUT	PLDR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.73	-1.22
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.84	2.43	-1.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.31	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.58	1.69	-1.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.68	6.38	-4.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFUT vs. PLDR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFUT Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the PLDR Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFUT and PLDR, 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

	PFUT	PLDR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	1.73	-1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.59	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.58	-0.53

Drawdowns

PFUT vs. PLDR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFUT drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than PLDR's maximum drawdown of -29.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFUT and PLDR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFUT	PLDR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-29.58%	-15.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-12.81%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	-23.00%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.86%	-29.58%	-15.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.45%	0.00%	-7.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.13%	-8.60%	-12.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	3.38%	+1.76%

Volatility

PFUT vs. PLDR - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) has a higher volatility of 4.03% compared to Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) at 3.26%. This indicates that PFUT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLDR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFUT	PLDR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	3.26%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	9.57%	+3.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	12.38%	+3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.75%	17.07%	+4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.72%	17.05%	+4.67%

PFUT vs. PLDR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFUT has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than PLDR's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFUT vs. PLDR - Dividend Comparison

PFUT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	0.35%	0.37%	0.38%	0.56%	0.63%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFUT and PLDR in my portfolio?

PFUT and PLDR have a correlation of 0.83, 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 PLDR?

PFUT has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to PLDR (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFUT dropped -44.86% vs PLDR's -29.58%.

Which ETF is better, PFUT or PLDR?

On 5-year performance, PLDR leads with 10.06% vs 1.34% for PFUT. On fees, PLDR is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, PLDR has been the lower-risk option at 3.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFUT or PLDR?

Over the 5-year period, PLDR has performed better with a 10.06% return vs 1.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFUT or PLDR?

PLDR is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for PFUT.

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

PLDR has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.00% for PFUT.

What is the main difference between PFUT and PLDR?

Their fees differ too: 0.64% for PFUT and 0.59% for PLDR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.52), 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.