PVAL vs. PBDC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PVAL (Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF) and PBDC (Putnam BDC Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PVAL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Putnam, while PBDC is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Putnam. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PVAL returned 23.81%/yr vs 7.76%/yr for PBDC. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PVAL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PBDC.

Performance

PVAL vs. PBDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) and Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PVAL achieves a 11.75% return, which is significantly higher than PBDC's -9.74% return.

PVAL

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 3.63%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 6M: 14.36%
• 1Y: 32.58%
• 3Y*: 23.81%
• 5Y*: 15.96%
• 10Y*: —

PBDC

• 1D: -2.15%
• 1M: -6.53%
• YTD: -9.74%
• 6M: -10.38%
• 1Y: -10.30%
• 3Y*: 7.76%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PVAL vs. PBDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PVAL Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF	11.75%	24.13%	19.30%	18.41%	13.84%
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	-9.74%	-1.77%	19.43%	30.52%	10.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PVAL and PBDC is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2022	0.59

The correlation between PVAL and PBDC shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PVAL vs. PBDC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PVAL	PBDC
Financial Services	19.1%	100.0%
Healthcare	12.6%	-
Industrials	12.1%	-
Technology	11.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Energy	8.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	-
Communication Services	5.8%	-
Utilities	5.0%	-
Basic Materials	4.4%	-
Real Estate	2.1%	-

Return for Risk

PVAL vs. PBDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PVAL

PVAL Risk / Return Rank: 87
PVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

PBDC

PBDC Risk / Return Rank: 4
PBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

PVAL vs. PBDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) and Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC). 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.

	PVAL	PBDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	-0.56	+3.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.28	-0.69	+4.97
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	0.92	+0.63
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.53	-0.51	+5.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.33	-0.94	+18.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PVAL vs. PBDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PVAL Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is higher than the PBDC Sharpe Ratio of -0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PVAL and PBDC, 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

	PVAL	PBDC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.04	-0.56	+3.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	0.73	+0.34

Drawdowns

PVAL vs. PBDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PVAL drawdown since its inception was -16.64%, smaller than the maximum PBDC drawdown of -20.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PVAL and PBDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PVAL	PBDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.64%	-20.47%	+3.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.22%	-20.15%	+12.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.42%	-20.47%	+5.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-17.21%	+17.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.02%	-4.66%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	10.95%	-9.06%

Volatility

PVAL vs. PBDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) is 2.30%, while Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has a volatility of 5.13%. This indicates that PVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PVAL	PBDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	5.13%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.19%	15.03%	-6.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.78%	18.31%	-7.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	17.04%	-1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.24%	17.04%	-1.80%

PVAL vs. PBDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PVAL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than PBDC's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

PVAL vs. PBDC - Dividend Comparison

PVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than PBDC's 11.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PBDC Putnam BDC Income ETF	11.69%	10.53%	9.29%	9.86%	3.40%	0.00%
PVAL Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF	0.98%	1.00%	1.34%	1.33%	0.59%	0.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PVAL and PBDC in my portfolio?

PVAL and PBDC have a correlation of 0.46, 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 PBDC?

PBDC has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to PVAL (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PVAL dropped -16.64% vs PBDC's -20.47%.

Which ETF is better, PVAL or PBDC?

On 3-year performance, PVAL leads with 23.81% vs 7.76% for PBDC. On fees, PVAL is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, PVAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PVAL or PBDC?

Over the 3-year period, PVAL has performed better with a 23.81% return vs 7.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PVAL or PBDC?

PVAL is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PBDC.

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

PBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.69%, compared with 0.98% for PVAL.

What is the main difference between PVAL and PBDC?

PVAL is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while PBDC is Financials Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for PVAL and 0.75% for PBDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs -0.56), 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.