POGAX vs. PNRAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

POGAX (Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund) and PNRAX (Putnam Research Fund) are both mutual funds - POGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam, while PNRAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, POGAX returned 16.94%/yr vs 15.68%/yr for PNRAX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. POGAX charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PNRAX.

Performance

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) 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, POGAX achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly lower than PNRAX's 11.84% return. Over the past 10 years, POGAX has outperformed PNRAX with an annualized return of 16.94%, while PNRAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.68% annualized return.

POGAX

• 1D: 2.87%
• 1M: -3.98%
• 6M: 0.47%
• YTD: -0.65%
• 1Y: 7.08%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: 10.12%
• 10Y*: 16.94%
• ALL TIME*: 9.57%

PNRAX

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: 0.08%
• 6M: 10.11%
• YTD: 11.84%
• 1Y: 24.70%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.55%
• 10Y*: 15.68%
• ALL TIME*: 9.42%

*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)
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund	-0.65%	14.28%	33.22%	44.22%	-30.43%	22.64%	38.44%	36.44%	2.29%	30.97%
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	11.84%	18.11%	26.21%	28.83%	-17.45%	24.32%	20.01%	32.83%	-4.81%	23.19%

Correlation

The correlation between POGAX and PNRAX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1996	0.94

The correlation between POGAX and PNRAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POGAX vs. PNRAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

POGAX

POGAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
POGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
POGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
POGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
POGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
POGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

PNRAX

PNRAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
PNRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
PNRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PNRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
PNRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PNRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) 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.

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.

	POGAX	PNRAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	1.72	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	2.40	-1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.31	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.31	2.76	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.93	11.30	-10.37

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POGAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the PNRAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POGAX 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.

Drawdowns

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POGAX drawdown since its inception was -76.55%, which is greater than PNRAX's maximum drawdown of -57.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POGAX and PNRAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POGAX	PNRAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.55%	-57.49%	-19.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.42%	-8.24%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.66%	-20.26%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.15%	-24.37%	-9.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.15%	-33.35%	-0.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.41%	-2.05%	-7.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.91%	-12.00%	-16.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.47%	2.01%	+3.46%

Volatility

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) has a higher volatility of 6.34% compared to Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX) at 3.58%. This indicates that POGAX'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

	POGAX	PNRAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.34%	3.58%	+2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.44%	10.38%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	13.21%	+4.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.97%	17.22%	+4.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.32%	17.98%	+3.34%

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POGAX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than PNRAX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

POGAX vs. PNRAX - Dividend Comparison

POGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, less than PNRAX's 10.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	10.27%	11.49%	7.57%	0.28%	9.46%	7.67%	2.02%	7.24%	15.09%	1.57%	1.06%	1.19%
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund	5.72%	5.68%	4.58%	0.49%	7.80%	9.08%	3.29%	3.83%	7.98%	1.89%	0.01%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POGAX and PNRAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, POGAX and PNRAX 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, POGAX or PNRAX?

POGAX has higher volatility (6.34%) compared to PNRAX (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POGAX dropped -76.55% vs PNRAX's -57.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.28), 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.