PLDR vs. BASG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) and BASG (Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLDR is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada, while BASG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Brown Advisory. Over the past year, PLDR returned 15.57% vs 2.81% for BASG. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLDR charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for BASG.

Performance

PLDR vs. BASG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLDR achieves a 1.69% return, which is significantly higher than BASG's -0.02% return.

PLDR

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: -1.54%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 15.57%
• 3Y*: 17.17%
• 5Y*: 8.99%
• 10Y*: —

BASG

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: -1.27%
• 1Y: 2.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLDR vs. BASG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	1.69%	15.06%
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	-0.02%	1.93%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDR and BASG is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2025	0.79

The correlation between PLDR and BASG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLDR vs. BASG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLDR

PLDR Risk / Return Rank: 34
PLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 36
PLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 33

BASG

BASG Risk / Return Rank: 11
BASG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BASG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BASG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

PLDR vs. BASG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG). 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.

	PLDR	BASG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	0.16	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	0.34	+1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.04	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	0.15	+1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.62	0.38	+4.24

PLDR vs. BASG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLDR Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the BASG Sharpe Ratio of 0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLDR and BASG, 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

PLDR vs. BASG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLDR drawdown since its inception was -29.58%, which is greater than BASG's maximum drawdown of -19.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLDR and BASG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDR	BASG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.58%	-19.30%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-19.30%	+6.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.00%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.58%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.21%	-6.09%	+2.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.57%	-5.75%	-2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	7.46%	-4.06%

Volatility

PLDR vs. BASG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) is 3.62%, while Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that PLDR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BASG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLDR	BASG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	7.01%	-3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	14.01%	-4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.57%	17.19%	-4.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.10%	17.07%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	17.07%	-0.03%

PLDR vs. BASG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDR has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BASG's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDR vs. BASG - Dividend Comparison

PLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, while BASG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BASG Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	0.37%	0.37%	0.38%	0.56%	0.63%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLDR and BASG in my portfolio?

PLDR and BASG have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLDR or BASG?

BASG has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to PLDR (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLDR dropped -29.58% vs BASG's -19.30%.

Which ETF is better, PLDR or BASG?

On 1-year performance, PLDR leads with 15.57% vs 2.81% for BASG. On fees, PLDR is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, PLDR has been the lower-risk option at 3.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLDR or BASG?

Over the 1-year period, PLDR has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 2.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLDR or BASG?

PLDR is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for BASG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PLDR or BASG?

PLDR has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.00% for BASG.

What is the main difference between PLDR and BASG?

PLDR is categorized as Sustainable, while BASG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Brown Advisory. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PLDR and 0.61% for BASG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.16), 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.