PGOYX vs. IWY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PGOYX (Putnam Large Cap Growth Y) and IWY (iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PGOYX returned 18.83%/yr vs 19.57%/yr for IWY. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PGOYX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for IWY.

Performance

PGOYX vs. IWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Large Cap Growth Y (PGOYX) and iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGOYX achieves a 9.63% return, which is significantly higher than IWY's 7.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PGOYX having a 18.83% annualized return and IWY not far ahead at 19.57%.

PGOYX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 7.19%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 9.26%
• 1Y: 26.15%
• 3Y*: 24.50%
• 5Y*: 14.95%
• 10Y*: 18.83%

IWY

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 5.83%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 26.69%
• 3Y*: 25.47%
• 5Y*: 16.45%
• 10Y*: 19.57%

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

PGOYX vs. IWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGOYX Putnam Large Cap Growth Y	9.63%	14.56%	33.58%	44.57%	-30.25%	22.95%	38.79%	36.76%	2.58%	31.29%
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	7.20%	18.19%	34.89%	46.49%	-29.91%	31.05%	39.01%	36.20%	-0.72%	31.69%

Correlation

The correlation between PGOYX and IWY is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2009	0.96

The correlation between PGOYX and IWY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGOYX vs. IWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGOYX

PGOYX Risk / Return Rank: 28
PGOYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
PGOYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
PGOYX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
PGOYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
PGOYX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

IWY

IWY Risk / Return Rank: 41
IWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Omega Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IWY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

PGOYX vs. IWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Large Cap Growth Y (PGOYX) and iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY). 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.

	PGOYX	IWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.73	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	2.36	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.30	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	1.61	+0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.51	5.26	+0.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGOYX vs. IWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGOYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the IWY Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGOYX and IWY, 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

	PGOYX	IWY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	1.73	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.77	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.94	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.92	-0.57

Drawdowns

PGOYX vs. IWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGOYX drawdown since its inception was -76.03%, which is greater than IWY's maximum drawdown of -32.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGOYX and IWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGOYX	IWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.03%	-32.68%	-43.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.34%	-16.63%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.63%	-23.22%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.01%	-32.68%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-32.68%	-1.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-1.82%	+1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.53%	-4.75%	-26.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.88%	5.09%	-0.21%

Volatility

PGOYX vs. IWY - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Large Cap Growth Y (PGOYX) and iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) have volatilities of 3.68% and 3.69%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGOYX	IWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	3.69%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	11.65%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.90%	15.54%	+0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.66%	21.48%	+0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.21%	20.97%	+0.24%

PGOYX vs. IWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGOYX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IWY's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGOYX vs. IWY - Dividend Comparison

PGOYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, more than IWY's 0.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.42%	0.68%	0.88%	0.50%	0.71%	1.06%	1.32%	1.26%	1.51%	1.58%
PGOYX Putnam Large Cap Growth Y	4.77%	5.23%	4.25%	0.46%	7.30%	8.55%	3.12%	3.65%	7.92%	2.05%	0.02%	5.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGOYX and IWY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PGOYX and IWY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PGOYX or IWY?

IWY has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to PGOYX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGOYX dropped -76.03% vs IWY's -32.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.70), 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.