PLDR vs. PFUT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) and PFUT (Putnam Sustainable Future ETF) are both Sustainable funds from Power Corporation of Canada. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PLDR returned 9.82%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for PFUT. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLDR charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for PFUT.

Performance

PLDR vs. PFUT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLDR achieves a 4.85% return, which is significantly higher than PFUT's 4.40% return.

PLDR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 4.50%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 4.09%
• 1Y: 20.39%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: —

PFUT

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.81%
• 3Y*: 12.28%
• 5Y*: 0.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

PLDR vs. PFUT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	4.85%	12.03%	23.47%	27.47%	-22.52%	11.57%
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	4.40%	2.22%	13.60%	29.98%	-33.60%	0.62%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDR and PFUT is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.89

The correlation between PLDR and PFUT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

PLDR vs. PFUT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PLDR	PFUT
Technology	24.1%	15.3%
Communication Services	12.0%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	21.5%
Industrials	8.3%	29.0%
Financial Services	6.9%	7.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.1%
Healthcare	4.9%	14.0%
Utilities	2.9%	5.8%
Energy	2.8%	0.9%
Basic Materials	2.4%	1.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

PLDR vs. PFUT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLDR

PLDR Risk / Return Rank: 43
PLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
PLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
PLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 38

PFUT

PFUT Risk / Return Rank: 15
PFUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PFUT Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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. PFUT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT). 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.

	PLDR	PFUT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	0.42	+1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	0.71	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.08	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	0.46	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.04	1.33	+4.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLDR vs. PFUT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLDR Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is higher than the PFUT Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLDR and PFUT, 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

	PLDR	PFUT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	0.42	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.04	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.05	+0.53

Drawdowns

PLDR vs. PFUT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLDR drawdown since its inception was -29.58%, smaller than the maximum PFUT drawdown of -44.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLDR and PFUT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDR	PFUT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.58%	-44.86%	+15.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-14.88%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.00%	-27.57%	+4.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.58%	-44.86%	+15.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-8.01%	+7.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-21.11%	+12.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	5.14%	-1.76%

Volatility

PLDR vs. PFUT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) is 3.19%, while Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) has a volatility of 4.08%. This indicates that PLDR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFUT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLDR	PFUT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	4.08%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.56%	12.59%	-3.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	16.17%	-3.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	21.75%	-4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	21.71%	-4.67%

PLDR vs. PFUT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDR has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than PFUT's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDR vs. PFUT - Dividend Comparison

PLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, while PFUT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PFUT Putnam Sustainable Future ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	0.36%	0.37%	0.38%	0.56%	0.63%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLDR and PFUT in my portfolio?

PLDR and PFUT have a correlation of 0.83, 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 PFUT?

PFUT has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to PLDR (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLDR dropped -29.58% vs PFUT's -44.86%.

Which ETF is better, PLDR or PFUT?

On 5-year performance, PLDR leads with 9.82% vs 0.95% for PFUT. On fees, PLDR is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, PLDR has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLDR or PFUT?

Over the 5-year period, PLDR has performed better with a 9.82% return vs 0.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLDR or PFUT?

PLDR is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for PFUT.

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

PLDR has the higher dividend yield at 0.36%, compared with 0.00% for PFUT.

What is the main difference between PLDR and PFUT?

Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PLDR and 0.64% for PFUT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.42), 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.