PGILX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PGILX (Putnam Focused Equity Fund) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - PGILX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam, while PNSAX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PGILX returned 14.72%/yr vs 15.72%/yr for PNSAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PGILX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Focused Equity Fund (PGILX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGILX achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 19.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PGILX has underperformed PNSAX with an annualized return of 14.72%, while PNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.72% annualized return.

PGILX

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.13%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 10.19%
• 1Y: 28.54%
• 3Y*: 24.05%
• 5Y*: 14.60%
• 10Y*: 14.72%

PNSAX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 19.11%
• 6M: 15.58%
• 1Y: 30.48%
• 3Y*: 21.14%
• 5Y*: 9.67%
• 10Y*: 15.72%

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

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGILX Putnam Focused Equity Fund	10.17%	19.56%	29.47%	24.67%	-14.23%	21.76%	16.87%	30.34%	-13.86%	28.11%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	19.11%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PGILX and PNSAX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2008	0.79

The correlation between PGILX and PNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGILX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGILX

PGILX Risk / Return Rank: 63
PGILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PGILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PGILX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PGILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PGILX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Focused Equity Fund (PGILX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). 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.

	PGILX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.36	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	1.97	+1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.25	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	2.20	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.42	7.69	+5.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGILX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGILX and PNSAX, 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

	PGILX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.36	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.42	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.67	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.44	+0.30

Drawdowns

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGILX drawdown since its inception was -36.19%, smaller than the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGILX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGILX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.19%	-69.47%	+33.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.87%	-14.00%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.89%	-26.25%	+6.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.29%	-38.77%	+17.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.19%	-38.77%	+2.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-1.63%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-23.55%	+18.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	3.99%	-1.82%

Volatility

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Focused Equity Fund (PGILX) is 3.23%, while Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a volatility of 8.08%. This indicates that PGILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGILX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	8.08%	-4.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.89%	18.25%	-8.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.80%	22.60%	-9.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	23.23%	-6.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.15%	23.58%	-5.43%

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGILX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGILX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

PGILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.14%, more than PNSAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGILX Putnam Focused Equity Fund	7.14%	7.86%	10.55%	0.86%	6.93%	8.17%	0.00%	2.53%	8.35%	4.37%	3.40%	3.90%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.36%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.27%	4.87%	1.93%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGILX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

PGILX and PNSAX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGILX or PNSAX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.08%) compared to PGILX (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGILX dropped -36.19% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGILX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.36), 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.