PNVAX vs. PNRAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PNVAX (Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund) and PNRAX (Putnam Research Fund) are both mutual funds - PNVAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Putnam, while PNRAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PNVAX returned 8.28%/yr vs 16.16%/yr for PNRAX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PNVAX charges 1.51%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PNRAX.

Performance

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund (PNVAX) and Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PNVAX achieves a 3.18% return, which is significantly lower than PNRAX's 13.76% return. Over the past 10 years, PNVAX has underperformed PNRAX with an annualized return of 8.28%, while PNRAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.

PNVAX

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 4.00%
• 1Y: 10.81%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 5.68%
• 10Y*: 8.28%

PNRAX

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 13.76%
• 6M: 13.72%
• 1Y: 33.90%
• 3Y*: 24.48%
• 5Y*: 14.93%
• 10Y*: 16.16%

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

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PNVAX Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund	3.18%	30.18%	3.09%	15.24%	-18.02%	13.59%	11.02%	25.85%	-16.67%	34.55%
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	13.76%	18.11%	26.21%	28.83%	-17.45%	24.32%	20.01%	32.83%	-4.81%	23.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PNVAX and PNRAX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1996	0.60

The correlation between PNVAX and PNRAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PNVAX vs. PNRAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PNVAX

PNVAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
PNVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PNVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
PNVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PNVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
PNVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

PNRAX

PNRAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
PNRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PNRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PNRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PNRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PNRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund (PNVAX) and Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX). 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.

	PNVAX	PNRAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	2.75	-1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	3.72	-2.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.50	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	4.06	-3.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	19.12	-16.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PNVAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the PNRAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PNVAX and PNRAX, 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

	PNVAX	PNRAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	2.75	-1.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.88	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.90	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.48	+0.01

Drawdowns

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PNVAX drawdown since its inception was -64.91%, which is greater than PNRAX's maximum drawdown of -57.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PNVAX and PNRAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PNVAX	PNRAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.91%	-57.49%	-7.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.87%	-8.24%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.16%	-20.26%	+7.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.83%	-24.37%	-12.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.07%	-33.35%	-3.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.83%	-0.38%	-2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.78%	-12.05%	-5.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	1.75%	+1.89%

Volatility

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund (PNVAX) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX) at 3.12%. This indicates that PNVAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PNRAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PNVAX	PNRAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	3.12%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	9.25%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.02%	12.15%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.77%	17.09%	-1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	17.97%	-1.72%

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PNVAX has a 1.51% expense ratio, which is higher than PNRAX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PNVAX vs. PNRAX - Dividend Comparison

PNVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.66%, more than PNRAX's 10.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	10.10%	11.49%	7.57%	0.28%	9.46%	7.67%	2.02%	7.24%	15.09%	1.57%	1.06%	1.19%
PNVAX Putnam International Capital Opportunities Fund	12.66%	13.06%	3.89%	1.21%	0.48%	13.42%	4.40%	1.33%	9.91%	2.75%	2.53%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PNVAX and PNRAX in my portfolio?

PNVAX and PNRAX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PNVAX or PNRAX?

PNVAX has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to PNRAX (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PNVAX dropped -64.91% vs PNRAX's -57.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 0.79), 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.