PGTAX vs. ALTEX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PGTAX (Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A) and ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX returned 25.69%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for ALTEX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PGTAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for ALTEX.

Performance

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGTAX achieves a 41.79% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 63.55% return. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX has outperformed ALTEX with an annualized return of 25.69%, while ALTEX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.06% annualized return.

PGTAX

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.03%
• YTD: 41.79%
• 6M: 40.97%
• 1Y: 71.45%
• 3Y*: 36.61%
• 5Y*: 19.40%
• 10Y*: 25.69%

ALTEX

• 1D: -1.95%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 63.55%
• 6M: 29.69%
• 1Y: 82.62%
• 3Y*: 14.48%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: 14.06%

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

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	41.79%	23.03%	27.57%	53.42%	-32.46%	11.44%	70.50%	47.20%	-6.96%	46.70%
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	63.55%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	-18.26%	-5.09%	83.88%	55.04%	-18.56%	27.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PGTAX and ALTEX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2008	0.69

The correlation between PGTAX and ALTEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGTAX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGTAX

PGTAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PGTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PGTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PGTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
PGTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
PGTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

ALTEX

ALTEX Risk / Return Rank: 49
ALTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ALTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ALTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
ALTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ALTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.33	2.23	+1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	2.50	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.38	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.39	3.08	+2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.18	8.11	+9.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGTAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.33, which is higher than the ALTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGTAX and ALTEX, 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

	PGTAX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33	2.23	+1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.08	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.07	0.28	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.09	+0.87

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGTAX	ALTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.21%	-75.48%	+33.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.67%	-28.91%	+15.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.42%	-68.78%	+40.36%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.63%	-1.95%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.67%	-37.25%	+30.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.28%	10.75%	-6.47%

Volatility

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) is 8.14%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 13.15%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	PGTAX	ALTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	13.15%	-5.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.83%	33.11%	-15.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.13%	40.02%	-17.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.99%	68.13%	-43.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.11%	51.35%	-27.24%

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGTAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGTAX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison

PGTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.08%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	8.08%	11.45%	6.71%	0.38%	1.52%	22.04%	14.04%	2.49%	9.37%	6.91%	0.83%	4.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGTAX and ALTEX in my portfolio?

PGTAX and ALTEX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGTAX or ALTEX?

ALTEX has higher volatility (13.15%) compared to PGTAX (8.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGTAX dropped -42.21% vs ALTEX's -75.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 2.23), 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.