PULT vs. LCTU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PULT (Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF) and LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PULT is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Putnam, while LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PULT returned 5.32%/yr vs 19.65%/yr for LCTU. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PULT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for LCTU.

Performance

PULT vs. LCTU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) and BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PULT achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly lower than LCTU's 6.71% return.

PULT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 1.38%
• 1Y: 3.98%
• 3Y*: 5.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LCTU

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 22.01%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 11.64%
• 10Y*: —

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

PULT vs. LCTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	1.23%	5.08%	5.93%	5.47%
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	6.71%	16.96%	24.00%	23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PULT and LCTU is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2023	0.04

Return for Risk

PULT vs. LCTU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PULT

PULT Risk / Return Rank: 98
PULT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PULT Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PULT Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PULT Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PULT Martin Ratio Rank: 98

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 54
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 53
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

PULT vs. LCTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) and BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU). 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.

	PULT	LCTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.45	1.73	+3.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.72	2.39	+7.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.96	1.31	+1.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.67	2.36	+7.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	70.25	10.18	+60.07

PULT vs. LCTU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PULT Sharpe Ratio is 5.45, which is higher than the LCTU Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PULT and LCTU, 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

PULT vs. LCTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PULT drawdown since its inception was -0.43%, smaller than the maximum LCTU drawdown of -25.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PULT and LCTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PULT	LCTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.43%	-25.93%	+25.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.43%	-9.38%	+8.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.43%	-19.83%	+19.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-2.85%	+2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-6.27%	+6.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.06%	2.17%	-2.11%

Volatility

PULT vs. LCTU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) is 0.55%, while BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that PULT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LCTU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PULT	LCTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	4.59%	-4.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.64%	10.10%	-9.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77%	12.82%	-12.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.64%	17.23%	-16.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.64%	17.03%	-16.39%

PULT vs. LCTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PULT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than LCTU's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PULT vs. LCTU - Dividend Comparison

PULT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than LCTU's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	0.98%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	4.25%	4.59%	5.38%	4.88%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PULT and LCTU in my portfolio?

PULT and LCTU have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PULT or LCTU?

LCTU has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to PULT (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PULT dropped -0.43% vs LCTU's -25.93%.

Which ETF is better, PULT or LCTU?

On 3-year performance, LCTU leads with 19.65% vs 5.32% for PULT. On fees, LCTU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PULT has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PULT or LCTU?

Over the 3-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 19.65% return vs 5.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PULT or LCTU?

LCTU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for PULT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PULT or LCTU?

PULT has the higher dividend yield at 4.25%, compared with 0.98% for LCTU.

What is the main difference between PULT and LCTU?

PULT is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while LCTU is ESG. They also come from different issuers: Putnam and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for PULT and 0.15% for LCTU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.45 vs 1.73), 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.