PGRO vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PGRO (Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities 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. Over the past 5 years, PGRO returned 11.77%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for DFAU. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGRO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

PGRO vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGRO achieves a 3.45% return, which is significantly lower than DFAU's 8.85% return.

PGRO

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -3.41%
• YTD: 3.45%
• 6M: 2.35%
• 1Y: 17.05%
• 3Y*: 21.64%
• 5Y*: 11.77%
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 8.85%
• 6M: 7.70%
• 1Y: 24.46%
• 3Y*: 20.24%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

PGRO vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PGRO Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF	3.45%	15.13%	34.01%	45.19%	-31.53%	16.63%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	8.85%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	12.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PGRO and DFAU is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.89

The correlation between PGRO and DFAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

PGRO vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PGRO	DFAU
Technology	51.1%	36.0%
Communication Services	12.9%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	10.6%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.3%
Financial Services	5.0%	12.1%
Industrials	4.4%	10.1%
Utilities	2.6%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.1%
Energy	-	4.1%

Return for Risk

PGRO vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGRO

PGRO Risk / Return Rank: 27
PGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
PGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 28
PGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 27

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 62
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 59
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

PGRO vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (PGRO) 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.

	PGRO	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	1.93	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	2.63	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.35	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	2.83	-1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.37	12.54	-9.17

PGRO vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGRO and DFAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PGRO vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGRO drawdown since its inception was -34.73%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGRO and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGRO	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.73%	-23.61%	-11.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.34%	-8.67%	-7.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.31%	-19.36%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.73%	-23.61%	-11.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.20%	-2.87%	-3.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.21%	-4.96%	-5.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.07%	1.95%	+3.12%

Volatility

PGRO vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (PGRO) has a higher volatility of 6.47% compared to Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) at 4.95%. This indicates that PGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGRO	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	4.95%	+1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.27%	9.98%	+3.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.05%	12.72%	+4.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	17.12%	+4.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.82%	16.78%	+5.04%

PGRO vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGRO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGRO vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

PGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than DFAU's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.92%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%
PGRO Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.08%	0.19%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGRO and DFAU in my portfolio?

PGRO and DFAU have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGRO or DFAU?

PGRO has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to DFAU (4.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGRO dropped -34.73% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, PGRO or DFAU?

On 5-year performance, DFAU leads with 12.38% vs 11.77% for PGRO. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DFAU has been the lower-risk option at 4.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PGRO or DFAU?

Over the 5-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 12.38% return vs 11.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PGRO or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PGRO.

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

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.02% for PGRO.

What is the main difference between PGRO and DFAU?

PGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PGRO and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.01), 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.