PLDR vs. PEMX

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) and PEMX (Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLDR is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Putnam, while PEMX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Putnam. Both are actively managed. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PLDR charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PEMX.

Performance

PLDR vs. PEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

PLDR

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

PEMX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -6.62%
• 6M: 17.14%
• YTD: 30.66%
• 1Y: 50.99%
• 3Y*: 30.76%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$71.17K	$77.44K	$264.51K

PLDR vs. PEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	1.69%	12.03%	23.47%	17.39%
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	30.66%	34.01%	17.21%	15.13%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDR and PEMX is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2023	0.67

The correlation between PLDR and PEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

PLDR vs. PEMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PLDR	PEMX
Technology	38.3%	49.1%
Communication Services	11.1%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	3.8%
Financial Services	9.9%	24.1%
Industrials	8.4%	6.1%
Healthcare	7.5%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	1.0%
Utilities	3.4%	3.7%
Energy	3.1%	0.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.5%
Real Estate	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

PLDR vs. PEMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PLDR

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

PEMX

PEMX Risk / Return Rank: 68
PEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
PEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
PEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PLDR vs. PEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX). 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	PEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.88	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.40	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.69	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	9.40	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDR	PEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-19.04%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-11.63%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-3.14%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.44%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PLDR	PEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	10.04%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	25.25%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	27.33%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	20.24%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	20.24%	—

PLDR vs. PEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDR has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than PEMX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDR vs. PEMX - Dividend Comparison

PLDR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	5.36%	7.00%	5.00%	0.72%	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 PEMX in my portfolio?

PLDR and PEMX 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 ETF is better, PLDR or PEMX?

On fees, PLDR is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLDR or PEMX?

PLDR is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for PEMX.

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

PEMX has the higher dividend yield at 5.36%, compared with 0.37% for PLDR.

What is the main difference between PLDR and PEMX?

PLDR is categorized as Sustainable, while PEMX is Emerging Markets Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PLDR and 0.85% for PEMX.