PSLAX vs. PNSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSLAX (Putnam Small Cap Value Fund) and PNSAX (Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - PSLAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Putnam, while PNSAX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PSLAX returned 10.01%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for PNSAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSLAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for PNSAX.

Performance

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) 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, PSLAX achieves a 14.44% return, which is significantly lower than PNSAX's 19.33% return. Over the past 10 years, PSLAX has underperformed PNSAX with an annualized return of 10.01%, while PNSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.74% annualized return.

PSLAX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 14.44%
• 6M: 14.26%
• 1Y: 26.11%
• 3Y*: 16.42%
• 5Y*: 6.87%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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)

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSLAX Putnam Small Cap Value Fund	14.44%	5.26%	6.19%	23.54%	-13.42%	39.51%	3.60%	24.33%	-20.19%	7.55%
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 PSLAX and PNSAX is 0.74, 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	0.74
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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2000	0.87

The correlation between PSLAX and PNSAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSLAX vs. PNSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSLAX

PSLAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
PSLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PSLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PSLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PSLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PSLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) 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.

	PSLAX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.44	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.06	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.26	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.33	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.63	8.14	-0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the PNSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLAX 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

	PSLAX	PNSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.44	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.43	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.67	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.44	-0.04

Drawdowns

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLAX drawdown since its inception was -69.37%, roughly equal to the maximum PNSAX drawdown of -69.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLAX and PNSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLAX	PNSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.37%	-69.47%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.52%	-14.00%	+3.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-26.25%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.63%	-38.77%	+13.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.81%	-38.77%	-14.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.44%	+1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-23.55%	+11.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	3.99%	-0.26%

Volatility

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) is 5.02%, while Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund (PNSAX) has a volatility of 8.08%. This indicates that PSLAX 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

	PSLAX	PNSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	8.08%	-3.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	18.35%	-6.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.34%	22.60%	-4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.75%	23.23%	-1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.61%	23.59%	+0.02%

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSLAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PNSAX's 1.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSLAX vs. PNSAX - Dividend Comparison

PSLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.95%, more than PNSAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
PSLAX Putnam Small Cap Value Fund	5.95%	6.81%	5.67%	1.21%	8.40%	0.20%	0.90%	1.33%	21.52%	38.15%	0.66%	5.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSLAX and PNSAX in my portfolio?

PSLAX and PNSAX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSLAX or PNSAX?

PNSAX has higher volatility (8.08%) compared to PSLAX (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSLAX dropped -69.37% vs PNSAX's -69.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.