PGTAX vs. ALTEX
Compare and contrast key facts about Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX).
PGTAX is a passively managed fund by Putnam that tracks the performance of the MSCI ACWI Information Technology Index (NR). It was launched on Dec 18, 2008. ALTEX is managed by Firsthand Funds. It was launched on Oct 28, 2007.
Performance
PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison
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PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A | -3.86% | 23.03% | 27.57% | 53.42% | -32.46% | 11.44% | 70.50% | 47.20% | -6.96% | 46.70% |
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | 15.57% | 6.62% | -6.79% | -2.31% | -18.26% | -5.09% | 83.88% | 55.04% | -18.56% | 27.35% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PGTAX achieves a -3.86% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 15.57% return. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX has outperformed ALTEX with an annualized return of 21.07%, while ALTEX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.51% annualized return.
PGTAX
- 1D
- 4.59%
- 1M
- -5.01%
- YTD
- -3.86%
- 6M
- -4.20%
- 1Y
- 34.92%
- 3Y*
- 23.29%
- 5Y*
- 10.52%
- 10Y*
- 21.07%
ALTEX
- 1D
- 5.49%
- 1M
- -7.35%
- YTD
- 15.57%
- 6M
- -5.93%
- 1Y
- 47.55%
- 3Y*
- 0.38%
- 5Y*
- -3.27%
- 10Y*
- 9.51%
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PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PGTAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
PGTAX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank
PGTAX
ALTEX
PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). 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.
| PGTAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.29 | 1.33 | -0.04 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.89 | 1.72 | +0.17 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.26 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.47 | 7.30 | -4.83 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.80 | 19.36 | -11.56 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PGTAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.29 | 1.33 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | -0.05 | +0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.88 | 0.19 | +0.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.84 | 0.04 | +0.80 |
Correlation
The correlation between PGTAX and ALTEX is 0.69, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison
PGTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.91%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A | 11.91% | 11.45% | 6.71% | 0.38% | 1.52% | 22.04% | 14.04% | 2.49% | 9.37% | 6.91% | 0.83% | 4.64% |
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.50% | 3.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 9.12% | 0.05% | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PGTAX drawdown since its inception was -42.21%, smaller than the maximum ALTEX drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGTAX and ALTEX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PGTAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.21% | -75.48% | +33.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.52% | -28.91% | +14.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -42.21% | -75.48% | +33.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.21% | -75.48% | +33.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.71% | -23.70% | +13.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.72% | -37.54% | +30.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.60% | 10.91% | -6.31% |
Volatility
PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) is 9.39%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 12.87%. This indicates that PGTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PGTAX | ALTEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.39% | 12.87% | -3.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.20% | 33.37% | -16.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.33% | 39.02% | -10.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.75% | 67.79% | -43.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.91% | 51.10% | -27.19% |