PSLAX vs. POGAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSLAX (Putnam Small Cap Value Fund) and POGAX (Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund) are both mutual funds - PSLAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Putnam, while POGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PSLAX returned 10.01%/yr vs 18.53%/yr for POGAX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSLAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for POGAX.

Performance

PSLAX vs. POGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) and Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX). 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 higher than POGAX's 9.53% return. Over the past 10 years, PSLAX has underperformed POGAX with an annualized return of 10.01%, while POGAX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.53% 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%

POGAX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 7.16%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 9.12%
• 1Y: 25.84%
• 3Y*: 24.19%
• 5Y*: 14.66%
• 10Y*: 18.53%

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

PSLAX vs. POGAX - 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%
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund	9.53%	14.28%	33.22%	44.22%	-30.43%	22.64%	38.44%	36.44%	2.29%	30.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PSLAX and POGAX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2000	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between PSLAX and POGAX has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PSLAX vs. POGAX — 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

POGAX

POGAX Risk / Return Rank: 27
POGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
POGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
POGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
POGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
POGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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. POGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) and Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX). 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	POGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.68	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.29	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	1.62	+1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.63	5.41	+2.22
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. POGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the POGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSLAX and POGAX, 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	POGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.68	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.68	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.88	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.45	-0.05

Drawdowns

PSLAX vs. POGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSLAX drawdown since its inception was -69.37%, smaller than the maximum POGAX drawdown of -76.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSLAX and POGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSLAX	POGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.37%	-76.55%	+7.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.52%	-16.42%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.63%	-23.66%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.63%	-34.15%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.81%	-34.15%	-18.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.12%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-29.04%	+16.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	4.92%	-1.19%

Volatility

PSLAX vs. POGAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Small Cap Value Fund (PSLAX) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund (POGAX) at 3.68%. This indicates that PSLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than POGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSLAX	POGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	3.68%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	12.09%	-0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.34%	15.91%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.75%	21.65%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.61%	21.21%	+2.40%

PSLAX vs. POGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSLAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than POGAX's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSLAX vs. POGAX - Dividend Comparison

PSLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.95%, more than POGAX's 5.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POGAX Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund	5.19%	5.68%	4.58%	0.49%	7.80%	9.08%	3.29%	3.83%	7.98%	1.89%	0.01%	5.70%
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 POGAX in my portfolio?

PSLAX and POGAX have a correlation of 0.49, 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 POGAX?

PSLAX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to POGAX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSLAX dropped -69.37% vs POGAX's -76.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.55), 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.