PNOPX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PNOPX (Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PNOPX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PNOPX returned 15.46%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PNOPX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PNOPX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund (PNOPX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PNOPX achieves a 3.49% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PNOPX having a 15.46% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.53%.

PNOPX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 3.49%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 16.93%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: 15.46%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

PNOPX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PNOPX Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund	3.49%	10.93%	22.97%	26.23%	-22.86%	23.44%	28.57%	35.86%	-0.90%	29.07%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PNOPX and SPY is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.88

The correlation between PNOPX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PNOPX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PNOPX

PNOPX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PNOPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PNOPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
PNOPX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PNOPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
PNOPX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PNOPX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund (PNOPX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	PNOPX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.90	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.58	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.34	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	2.67	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.12	11.92	-6.80

PNOPX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PNOPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PNOPX and SPY, 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

PNOPX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PNOPX drawdown since its inception was -74.15%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PNOPX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PNOPX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.15%	-55.19%	-18.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.06%	-8.88%	-4.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.90%	-18.76%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.13%	-24.50%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.29%	-33.72%	+3.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	-3.17%	+1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.00%	-9.04%	-14.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	1.98%	+1.54%

Volatility

PNOPX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund (PNOPX) has a higher volatility of 5.18% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that PNOPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PNOPX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	4.87%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.43%	9.85%	+0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.05%	12.50%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	17.15%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.20%	17.95%	+0.25%

PNOPX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PNOPX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PNOPX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PNOPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.84%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PNOPX Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund	10.84%	11.22%	9.25%	2.96%	8.38%	11.69%	7.41%	7.14%	20.24%	4.91%	0.00%	12.64%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PNOPX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, PNOPX and SPY 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, PNOPX or SPY?

PNOPX has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PNOPX dropped -74.15% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.39), 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.