PMYAX vs. SSSYX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

PMYAX (Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A) and SSSYX (State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K) are both mutual funds - PMYAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while SSSYX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. PMYAX is actively managed, while SSSYX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PMYAX returned 15.73%/yr vs 44.93%/yr for SSSYX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PMYAX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SSSYX.

Performance

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) and State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K (SSSYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMYAX achieves a 9.78% return, which is significantly lower than SSSYX's 11.75% return. Over the past 10 years, PMYAX has underperformed SSSYX with an annualized return of 15.73%, while SSSYX has yielded a comparatively higher 44.93% annualized return.

PMYAX

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 2.37%
• 6M: 8.56%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 1Y: 20.54%
• 3Y*: 20.24%
• 5Y*: 13.14%
• 10Y*: 15.73%
• ALL TIME*: 15.55%

SSSYX

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 10.49%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: 20.85%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 10Y*: 44.93%
• ALL TIME*: 37.85%

*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)
PMYAX Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SSSYX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMYAX Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A	9.78%	17.03%	26.14%	27.66%	-16.14%	30.57%	17.43%	32.19%	-8.15%	23.67%
SSSYX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K	11.75%	17.81%	24.99%	26.27%	-18.16%	28.51%	1,083.11%	31.38%	-4.38%	21.61%

Correlation

The correlation between PMYAX and SSSYX is 0.98 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2014	0.96

The correlation between PMYAX and SSSYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PMYAX vs. SSSYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMYAX

PMYAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PMYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PMYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PMYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PMYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
PMYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

SSSYX

SSSYX Risk / Return Rank: 75
SSSYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SSSYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SSSYX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SSSYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SSSYX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) and State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K (SSSYX). 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.

	PMYAX	SSSYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.82	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.51	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	2.63	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.41	11.29	-1.88

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMYAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the SSSYX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMYAX and SSSYX, 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

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.29%, roughly equal to the maximum SSSYX drawdown of -33.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMYAX and SSSYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMYAX	SSSYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.29%	-33.77%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.05%	-8.88%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.94%	-18.74%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.65%	-24.49%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.29%	-33.77%	-1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.14%	-3.89%	-0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	2.06%	+0.32%

Volatility

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A (PMYAX) and State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K (SSSYX) have volatilities of 3.98% and 3.81%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMYAX	SSSYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.81%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	10.19%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.84%	12.85%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	17.01%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.37%	121.18%	-102.81%

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMYAX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SSSYX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMYAX vs. SSSYX - Dividend Comparison

PMYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than SSSYX's 1.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMYAX Putnam Core Equity Fund Class A	2.32%	2.55%	4.24%	2.39%	5.01%	9.06%	2.21%	4.59%	2.38%	2.49%	0.95%	1.03%
SSSYX State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class K	1.29%	1.44%	1.63%	1.78%	2.16%	2.76%	1.86%	4.44%	5.18%	5.94%	2.07%	1.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMYAX and SSSYX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PMYAX and SSSYX 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, PMYAX or SSSYX?

PMYAX has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to SSSYX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMYAX dropped -35.29% vs SSSYX's -33.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSSYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.75), 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.