PGTAX vs. VITAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

PGTAX (Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A) and VITAX (Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Technology Equities funds - PGTAX tracks the MSCI ACWI Information Technology Index (NR) while VITAX tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX returned 25.27%/yr vs 25.40%/yr for VITAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGTAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VITAX.

Performance

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGTAX achieves a 31.34% return, which is significantly higher than VITAX's 22.51% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PGTAX having a 25.27% annualized return and VITAX not far ahead at 25.40%.

PGTAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 31.34%
• 6M: 31.17%
• 1Y: 51.53%
• 3Y*: 32.29%
• 5Y*: 16.34%
• 10Y*: 25.27%

VITAX

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: -2.35%
• YTD: 22.51%
• 6M: 20.46%
• 1Y: 42.11%
• 3Y*: 29.82%
• 5Y*: 19.37%
• 10Y*: 25.40%

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

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	31.34%	23.03%	27.57%	53.42%	-32.46%	11.44%	70.50%	47.20%	-6.96%	46.70%
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	22.51%	21.78%	29.26%	52.69%	-29.67%	30.36%	45.93%	48.72%	2.51%	37.07%

Correlation

The correlation between PGTAX and VITAX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2008	0.94

The correlation between PGTAX and VITAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGTAX vs. VITAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGTAX

PGTAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PGTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PGTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PGTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PGTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PGTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VITAX

VITAX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VITAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VITAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VITAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VITAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VITAX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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. VITAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX). 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.

	PGTAX	VITAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.91	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.44	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	2.65	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	8.05	+3.42

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VITAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGTAX and VITAX, 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

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGTAX drawdown since its inception was -42.21%, smaller than the maximum VITAX drawdown of -54.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGTAX and VITAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGTAX	VITAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.21%	-54.81%	+12.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.67%	-16.38%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.42%	-27.38%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.21%	-35.10%	-7.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.21%	-35.10%	-7.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.87%	-8.34%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.67%	-8.01%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.62%	5.39%	-0.77%

Volatility

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) has a higher volatility of 13.36% compared to Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) at 11.38%. This indicates that PGTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VITAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGTAX	VITAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.36%	11.38%	+1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.90%	18.60%	+2.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.79%	22.82%	+1.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.48%	25.76%	-0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.34%	25.00%	-0.66%

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGTAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VITAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGTAX vs. VITAX - Dividend Comparison

PGTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.72%, more than VITAX's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	8.72%	11.45%	6.71%	0.38%	1.52%	22.04%	14.04%	2.49%	9.37%	6.91%	0.83%	4.64%
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.45%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.63%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGTAX and VITAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PGTAX and VITAX 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, PGTAX or VITAX?

PGTAX has higher volatility (13.36%) compared to VITAX (11.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGTAX dropped -42.21% vs VITAX's -54.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.91), 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.