PMVAX vs. PGOFX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

PMVAX (Putnam Sustainable Future Fund) and PGOFX (Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PMVAX returned 9.38%/yr vs 14.12%/yr for PGOFX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMVAX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for PGOFX.

Performance

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Future Fund (PMVAX) and Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMVAX achieves a 6.18% return, which is significantly lower than PGOFX's 25.24% return. Over the past 10 years, PMVAX has underperformed PGOFX with an annualized return of 9.38%, while PGOFX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.12% annualized return.

PMVAX

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: 2.80%
• 6M: 3.76%
• YTD: 6.18%
• 1Y: 7.48%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: -0.09%
• 10Y*: 9.38%

PGOFX

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: 3.81%
• 6M: 21.44%
• YTD: 25.24%
• 1Y: 34.93%
• 3Y*: 25.25%
• 5Y*: 8.19%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

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

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMVAX Putnam Sustainable Future Fund	6.18%	2.64%	14.87%	28.60%	-33.93%	5.99%	52.93%	29.77%	-7.08%	10.61%
PGOFX Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	25.24%	20.66%	23.84%	18.66%	-31.26%	8.06%	38.86%	32.73%	-5.77%	29.88%

Correlation

The correlation between PMVAX and PGOFX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 1999	0.89

The correlation between PMVAX and PGOFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMVAX vs. PGOFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMVAX

PMVAX Risk / Return Rank: 7
PMVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PMVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PMVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PMVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
PMVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

PGOFX

PGOFX Risk / Return Rank: 62
PGOFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PGOFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PGOFX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
PGOFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PGOFX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Future Fund (PMVAX) and Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX). 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.

	PMVAX	PGOFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	1.59	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	2.17	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.27	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.40	3.20	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.18	12.24	-11.06

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMVAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the PGOFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMVAX and PGOFX, 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

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMVAX drawdown since its inception was -61.94%, roughly equal to the maximum PGOFX drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMVAX and PGOFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMVAX	PGOFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.94%	-62.17%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.96%	-10.45%	-4.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.38%	-28.15%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.20%	-39.78%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.20%	-39.78%	-4.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.39%	-0.73%	-4.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.99%	-11.67%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	2.73%	+2.39%

Volatility

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Sustainable Future Fund (PMVAX) is 6.95%, while Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund (PGOFX) has a volatility of 8.10%. This indicates that PMVAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PGOFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMVAX	PGOFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.95%	8.10%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	16.76%	-2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.22%	21.02%	-3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.49%	23.85%	-2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	23.14%	-2.68%

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMVAX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than PGOFX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMVAX vs. PGOFX - Dividend Comparison

PMVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.41%, more than PGOFX's 13.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGOFX Pioneer Select Mid Cap Growth Fund	13.26%	16.61%	12.14%	0.00%	1.84%	11.47%	13.77%	1.37%	16.05%	8.32%	1.69%	8.90%
PMVAX Putnam Sustainable Future Fund	13.41%	14.24%	12.53%	0.00%	0.00%	16.32%	10.06%	2.67%	31.09%	4.49%	2.25%	8.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMVAX and PGOFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PMVAX and PGOFX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PMVAX or PGOFX?

PGOFX has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to PMVAX (6.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMVAX dropped -61.94% vs PGOFX's -62.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PGOFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.35), 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.