PMYAX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PMYAX (Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - PMYAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while PNSAX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PMYAX returned 16.09%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for PNSAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMYAX charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMYAX achieves a 8.65% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 19.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PMYAX having a 16.09% annualized return and PNSAX not far behind at 15.74%.

PMYAX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 8.65%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.92%
• 3Y*: 22.08%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 16.09%

PNSAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 19.33%
• 6M: 17.46%
• 1Y: 30.89%
• 3Y*: 21.22%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 15.74%

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

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMYAX Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A	8.65%	17.03%	26.14%	27.66%	-16.14%	30.57%	17.43%	32.19%	-8.15%	23.67%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	19.33%	8.91%	22.98%	22.87%	-28.10%	14.38%	47.65%	37.60%	-2.46%	20.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PMYAX and PNSAX is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.84

The correlation between PMYAX and PNSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMYAX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMYAX

PMYAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
PMYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PMYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
PMYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
PMYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
PMYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

PNSAX

PNSAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PNSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PNSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PNSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PNSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) and Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX). 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.

	PMYAX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.44	+0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.06	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.26	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.33	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.11	8.14	+3.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMYAX and PNSAX, 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

	PMYAX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.44	+0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.43	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.67	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.44	+0.48

Drawdowns

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.29%, smaller than the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMYAX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMYAX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.29%	-69.47%	+34.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.05%	-14.00%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.94%	-26.25%	+7.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.65%	-38.77%	+15.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.29%	-38.77%	+3.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.44%	+1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-23.55%	+19.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	3.99%	-1.70%

Volatility

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) is 2.96%, while Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a volatility of 8.08%. This indicates that PMYAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PNSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMYAX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	8.08%	-5.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	18.35%	-9.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	22.60%	-10.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	23.23%	-6.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.39%	23.59%	-5.20%

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMYAX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMYAX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

PMYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than PNSAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMYAX Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A	2.35%	2.55%	4.24%	2.39%	5.01%	9.06%	2.21%	4.59%	2.38%	2.49%	0.95%	1.03%
PNSAX Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund	0.36%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	15.27%	4.87%	1.93%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMYAX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

PMYAX and PNSAX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PMYAX or PNSAX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.08%) compared to PMYAX (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMYAX dropped -35.29% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.44), 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.