PVAL vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PVAL (Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. PVAL is actively managed, while FTA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PVAL returned 17.22%/yr vs 11.21%/yr for FTA. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PVAL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

PVAL vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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 PVAL having a 17.84% return and FTA slightly higher at 18.18%.

PVAL

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 3.62%
• 6M: 13.49%
• YTD: 17.84%
• 1Y: 35.15%
• 3Y*: 22.28%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.94%

FTA

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 18.18%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 11.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.58%

*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)
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M
PVAL Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF	$116.61M	$103.87M	$91.12M

PVAL vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PVAL Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF	17.84%	24.13%	19.30%	18.41%	-2.61%	11.77%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	18.18%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	5.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PVAL and FTA is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.88

The correlation between PVAL and FTA shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PVAL vs. FTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PVAL	FTA
Technology	20.6%	7.3%
Financial Services	17.0%	23.2%
Healthcare	13.1%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	9.3%
Industrials	8.9%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	6.5%
Basic Materials	4.5%	3.2%
Utilities	4.1%	11.1%
Energy	3.6%	9.2%
Real Estate	1.9%	6.6%
Communication Services	0.9%	4.6%

Return for Risk

PVAL vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PVAL

PVAL Risk / Return Rank: 95
PVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
PVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
PVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 94

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

PVAL vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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.

	PVAL	FTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	2.63	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	3.90	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.46	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	5.93	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.86	20.26	-2.40

PVAL vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PVAL and FTA, 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

PVAL vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PVAL drawdown since its inception was -16.64%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PVAL and FTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PVAL	FTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.64%	-62.45%	+45.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.22%	-5.13%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.42%	-18.73%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.64%	-19.80%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.56%	+1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.94%	-8.97%	+6.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	1.50%	+0.36%

Volatility

PVAL vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) is 3.11%, while First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that PVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PVAL	FTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.11%	3.93%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.56%	8.04%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.24%	11.61%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.24%	16.23%	-0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.14%	19.85%	-4.71%

PVAL vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PVAL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PVAL vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

PVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.61%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
PVAL Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF	0.90%	1.00%	1.34%	1.33%	0.59%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PVAL and FTA in my portfolio?

PVAL and FTA have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PVAL or FTA?

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to PVAL (3.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PVAL dropped -16.64% vs FTA's -62.45%.

Which ETF is better, PVAL or FTA?

On 5-year performance, PVAL leads with 17.22% vs 11.21% for FTA. On fees, PVAL is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, PVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PVAL or FTA?

Over the 5-year period, PVAL has performed better with a 17.22% return vs 11.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PVAL or FTA?

PVAL is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PVAL or FTA?

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.90% for PVAL.

What is the main difference between PVAL and FTA?

They also come from different issuers: Putnam and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PVAL and 0.60% for FTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 2.63), 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.