PFUT vs. VABS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFUT (Putnam Sustainable Future ETF) and VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFUT is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada, while VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PFUT returned 0.95%/yr vs 3.22%/yr for VABS. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFUT charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VABS.

Performance

PFUT vs. VABS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFUT achieves a 4.40% return, which is significantly higher than VABS's 1.39% return.

PFUT

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.81%
• 3Y*: 12.28%
• 5Y*: 0.95%
• 10Y*: —

VABS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 4.26%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

PFUT vs. VABS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	4.40%	2.22%	13.60%	29.98%	-33.60%	0.62%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	1.39%	5.40%	7.59%	7.61%	-5.24%	0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between PFUT and VABS is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.07

Return for Risk

PFUT vs. VABS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFUT

PFUT Risk / Return Rank: 15
PFUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VABS

VABS Risk / Return Rank: 69
VABS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VABS Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VABS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VABS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VABS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. VABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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	VABS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	2.10	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	2.88	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.46	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	4.34	-3.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.33	11.20	-9.88
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. VABS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFUT Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VABS Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFUT and VABS, 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	VABS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	2.10	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	1.41	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	1.40	-1.35

Drawdowns

PFUT vs. VABS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFUT drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than VABS's maximum drawdown of -7.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFUT and VABS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFUT	VABS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-7.12%	-37.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-0.98%	-13.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	-1.42%	-26.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.86%	-7.12%	-37.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.01%	-0.14%	-7.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.11%	-1.42%	-19.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	0.38%	+4.76%

Volatility

PFUT vs. VABS - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) at 0.40%. This indicates that PFUT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFUT	VABS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	0.40%	+3.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	1.07%	+11.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.17%	2.04%	+14.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.75%	2.30%	+19.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.71%	2.24%	+19.47%

PFUT vs. VABS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFUT has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VABS's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFUT vs. VABS - Dividend Comparison

PFUT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VABS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	5.18%	4.94%	5.05%	4.13%	2.47%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFUT and VABS in my portfolio?

PFUT and VABS have a correlation of 0.14, 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 VABS?

PFUT has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to VABS (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFUT dropped -44.86% vs VABS's -7.12%.

Which ETF is better, PFUT or VABS?

On 5-year performance, VABS leads with 3.22% vs 0.95% for PFUT. On fees, VABS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, VABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFUT or VABS?

Over the 5-year period, VABS has performed better with a 3.22% return vs 0.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFUT or VABS?

VABS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for PFUT.

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

VABS has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 0.00% for PFUT.

What is the main difference between PFUT and VABS?

PFUT is categorized as Sustainable, while VABS is Mortgage Backed Securities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for PFUT and 0.39% for VABS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VABS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.42), 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.