PGTAX vs. VTCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PGTAX (Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A) and VTCAX (Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX returned 25.90%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for VTCAX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PGTAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VTCAX.

Performance

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGTAX achieves a 44.13% return, which is significantly higher than VTCAX's -0.55% return. Over the past 10 years, PGTAX has outperformed VTCAX with an annualized return of 25.90%, while VTCAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.41% annualized return.

PGTAX

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: 23.82%
• YTD: 44.13%
• 6M: 43.30%
• 1Y: 76.11%
• 3Y*: 37.35%
• 5Y*: 20.14%
• 10Y*: 25.90%

VTCAX

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: -0.55%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

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

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	44.13%	23.03%	27.57%	53.42%	-32.46%	11.44%	70.50%	47.20%	-6.96%	46.70%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.55%	26.28%	33.10%	44.73%	-38.78%	14.09%	28.95%	28.03%	-16.51%	-5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PGTAX and VTCAX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2008	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between PGTAX and VTCAX has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PGTAX vs. VTCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGTAX

PGTAX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PGTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PGTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PGTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PGTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PGTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VTCAX

VTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
VTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. VTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) and Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX). 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.55	1.38	+2.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.19	2.07	+2.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.25	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.74	1.56	+4.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.29	5.96	+12.33
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. VTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGTAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.55, which is higher than the VTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGTAX and VTCAX, 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	VTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55	1.38	+2.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.38	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.08	0.45	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	0.43	+0.53

Drawdowns

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGTAX drawdown since its inception was -42.21%, smaller than the maximum VTCAX drawdown of -57.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGTAX and VTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGTAX	VTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.21%	-57.11%	+14.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.67%	-13.56%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.42%	-21.19%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.21%	-46.58%	+4.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.21%	-46.58%	+4.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.92%	+3.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.67%	-11.89%	+5.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.28%	3.55%	+0.73%

Volatility

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A (PGTAX) has a higher volatility of 7.69% compared to Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) at 4.17%. This indicates that PGTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGTAX	VTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.69%	4.17%	+3.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.73%	11.12%	+6.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.07%	15.38%	+6.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.98%	21.24%	+3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.11%	21.00%	+3.11%

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGTAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCAX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGTAX vs. VTCAX - Dividend Comparison

PGTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.95%, more than VTCAX's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGTAX Putnam Global Technology Fund Class A	7.95%	11.45%	6.71%	0.38%	1.52%	22.04%	14.04%	2.49%	9.37%	6.91%	0.83%	4.64%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.99%	0.95%	1.06%	1.04%	0.88%	1.20%	0.73%	0.89%	2.77%	3.84%	2.68%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGTAX and VTCAX in my portfolio?

PGTAX and VTCAX have a correlation of 0.49, 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 VTCAX?

PGTAX has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to VTCAX (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGTAX dropped -42.21% vs VTCAX's -57.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.55 vs 1.38), 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.