PULT vs. SDCP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PULT (Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF) and SDCP (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PULT is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Putnam, while SDCP is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PULT returned 3.98% vs 4.00% for SDCP. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PULT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDCP.

Performance

PULT vs. SDCP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PULT having a 1.23% return and SDCP slightly higher at 1.25%.

PULT

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

SDCP

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.45%
• 1Y: 4.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PULT vs. SDCP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	1.23%	5.08%	5.93%	1.10%
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	1.25%	5.37%	5.24%	1.94%

Correlation

The correlation between PULT and SDCP is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2023	0.23

The correlation between PULT and SDCP shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PULT vs. SDCP — 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

SDCP

SDCP Risk / Return Rank: 92
SDCP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SDCP Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SDCP Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SDCP Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SDCP Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. SDCP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP). 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	SDCP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.45	3.04	+2.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.72	4.84	+4.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.96	1.72	+1.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.67	4.87	+4.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	70.25	18.28	+51.97

PULT vs. SDCP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PULT Sharpe Ratio is 5.45, which is higher than the SDCP Sharpe Ratio of 3.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PULT and SDCP, 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. SDCP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PULT drawdown since its inception was -0.43%, smaller than the maximum SDCP drawdown of -1.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PULT and SDCP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PULT	SDCP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.43%	-1.00%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.43%	-0.82%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.11%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-0.18%	+0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.06%	0.22%	-0.16%

Volatility

PULT vs. SDCP - Volatility Comparison

Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF (PULT) has a higher volatility of 0.55% compared to Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP) at 0.26%. This indicates that PULT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDCP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PULT	SDCP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	0.26%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.64%	0.79%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77%	1.33%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.64%	2.02%	-1.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.64%	2.02%	-1.38%

PULT vs. SDCP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PULT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SDCP's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PULT vs. SDCP - Dividend Comparison

PULT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, less than SDCP's 5.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PULT Putnam ESG Ultra Short ETF	4.25%	4.59%	5.38%	4.88%
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	5.22%	5.16%	5.25%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PULT and SDCP in my portfolio?

PULT and SDCP have a correlation of 0.12, 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 SDCP?

PULT has higher volatility (0.55%) compared to SDCP (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PULT dropped -0.43% vs SDCP's -1.00%.

Which ETF is better, PULT or SDCP?

On 1-year performance, SDCP leads with 4.00% vs 3.98% for PULT. On fees, PULT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SDCP has been the lower-risk option at 0.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PULT or SDCP?

Over the 1-year period, SDCP has performed better with a 4.00% return vs 3.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PULT or SDCP?

PULT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDCP.

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

SDCP has the higher dividend yield at 5.22%, compared with 4.25% for PULT.

What is the main difference between PULT and SDCP?

PULT is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while SDCP is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: Putnam and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for PULT and 0.35% for SDCP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PULT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.45 vs 3.04), 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.