PYTRX vs. PNRAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PYTRX (Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund) and PNRAX (Putnam Research Fund) are both mutual funds - PYTRX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Putnam, while PNRAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Putnam. Over the past 10 years, PYTRX returned 2.44%/yr vs 16.16%/yr for PNRAX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PYTRX charges 0.46%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for PNRAX.

Performance

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) and Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PYTRX achieves a -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than PNRAX's 13.20% return. Over the past 10 years, PYTRX has underperformed PNRAX with an annualized return of 2.44%, while PNRAX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.

PYTRX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: -0.15%
• 6M: -0.01%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.98%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

PNRAX

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 13.20%
• 6M: 13.33%
• 1Y: 32.63%
• 3Y*: 24.25%
• 5Y*: 14.81%
• 10Y*: 16.16%

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

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PYTRX Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	-0.15%	6.98%	1.81%	4.35%	-2.17%	-4.78%	0.83%	8.90%	-0.01%	5.53%
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	13.20%	18.11%	26.21%	28.83%	-17.45%	24.32%	20.01%	32.83%	-4.81%	23.19%

Correlation

The correlation between PYTRX and PNRAX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.28

Return for Risk

PYTRX vs. PNRAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYTRX

PYTRX Risk / Return Rank: 21
PYTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PYTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
PYTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

PNRAX

PNRAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
PNRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PNRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PNRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
PNRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PNRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) and Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX). 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.

	PYTRX	PNRAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	2.72	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	3.68	-1.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.50	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	4.01	-2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.78	18.89	-14.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the PNRAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYTRX and PNRAX, 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

	PYTRX	PNRAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	2.72	-1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.87	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.90	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.48	+0.09

Drawdowns

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYTRX drawdown since its inception was -12.75%, smaller than the maximum PNRAX drawdown of -57.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYTRX and PNRAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYTRX	PNRAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.75%	-57.49%	+44.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-8.24%	+5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	-20.26%	+14.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.85%	-24.37%	+12.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.75%	-33.35%	+20.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.04%	-0.86%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-12.05%	+9.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	1.75%	-0.71%

Volatility

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund (PYTRX) is 1.23%, while Putnam Research Fund (PNRAX) has a volatility of 3.15%. This indicates that PYTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PNRAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PYTRX	PNRAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	3.15%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.82%	9.24%	-6.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83%	12.16%	-8.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.86%	17.09%	-12.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.01%	17.97%	-13.96%

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PYTRX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than PNRAX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PYTRX vs. PNRAX - Dividend Comparison

PYTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, less than PNRAX's 10.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PNRAX Putnam Research Fund	10.15%	11.49%	7.57%	0.28%	9.46%	7.67%	2.02%	7.24%	15.09%	1.57%	1.06%	1.19%
PYTRX Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	4.02%	4.02%	4.31%	4.43%	4.38%	3.67%	3.44%	4.02%	2.49%	4.76%	3.40%	4.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYTRX and PNRAX in my portfolio?

PYTRX and PNRAX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PYTRX or PNRAX?

PNRAX has higher volatility (3.15%) compared to PYTRX (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYTRX dropped -12.75% vs PNRAX's -57.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PNRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.30), 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.