PLDR vs. VABS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) and VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLDR is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada, while VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PLDR returned 9.82%/yr vs 3.22%/yr for VABS. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLDR charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VABS.

Performance

PLDR vs. VABS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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 VABS's 1.39% return.

PLDR

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

VABS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 4.26%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

PLDR vs. VABS - 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%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	1.39%	5.40%	7.59%	7.61%	-5.24%	0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between PLDR and VABS is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.05

Return for Risk

PLDR vs. VABS — 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

VABS

VABS Risk / Return Rank: 69
VABS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VABS Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VABS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VABS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VABS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. VABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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	VABS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.10	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.88	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.46	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	4.34	-2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.04	11.20	-5.16
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. VABS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLDR Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the VABS Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLDR and VABS, 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	VABS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.10	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	1.41	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	1.40	-0.82

Drawdowns

PLDR vs. VABS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLDR drawdown since its inception was -29.58%, which is greater than VABS's maximum drawdown of -7.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLDR and VABS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLDR	VABS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.58%	-7.12%	-22.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-0.98%	-11.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.00%	-1.42%	-21.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.58%	-7.12%	-22.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.14%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-1.42%	-7.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	0.38%	+3.00%

Volatility

PLDR vs. VABS - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) has a higher volatility of 3.19% compared to Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) at 0.40%. This indicates that PLDR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLDR	VABS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	0.40%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.56%	1.07%	+8.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	2.04%	+10.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	2.30%	+14.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	2.24%	+14.80%

PLDR vs. VABS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLDR has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VABS's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLDR vs. VABS - Dividend Comparison

PLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than VABS's 5.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	0.36%	0.37%	0.38%	0.56%	0.63%	0.39%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	5.18%	4.94%	5.05%	4.13%	2.47%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLDR and VABS in my portfolio?

PLDR and VABS have a correlation of 0.13, 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 VABS?

PLDR has higher volatility (3.19%) compared to VABS (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLDR dropped -29.58% vs VABS's -7.12%.

Which ETF is better, PLDR or VABS?

On 5-year performance, PLDR leads with 9.82% vs 3.22% for VABS. On fees, VABS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, VABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLDR or VABS?

Over the 5-year period, PLDR has performed better with a 9.82% return vs 3.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLDR or VABS?

VABS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for PLDR.

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

VABS has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 0.36% for PLDR.

What is the main difference between PLDR and VABS?

PLDR is categorized as Sustainable, while VABS is Mortgage Backed Securities. They also come from different issuers: Power Corporation of Canada and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PLDR and 0.39% for VABS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VABS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.66), 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.