SUSA vs. PLDR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SUSA (iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF) and PLDR (Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SUSA is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Select Index, while PLDR is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Power Corporation of Canada. SUSA is passively managed, while PLDR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSA returned 11.86%/yr vs 9.82%/yr for PLDR. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SUSA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for PLDR.

Performance

SUSA vs. PLDR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUSA achieves a 11.10% return, which is significantly higher than PLDR's 4.85% return.

SUSA

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 6.04%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 26.44%
• 3Y*: 20.92%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: 15.06%

PLDR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 4.50%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 4.09%
• 1Y: 20.39%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

SUSA vs. PLDR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	11.10%	15.72%	22.43%	23.88%	-21.38%	15.43%
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	4.85%	12.03%	23.47%	27.47%	-22.52%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between SUSA and PLDR is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2021	0.96

The correlation between SUSA and PLDR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SUSA vs. PLDR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SUSA	PLDR
Technology	39.4%	24.1%
Financial Services	11.9%	6.9%
Industrials	10.2%	8.3%
Healthcare	9.0%	4.9%
Communication Services	8.5%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	8.8%
Energy	3.9%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	5.2%
Real Estate	3.1%	0.9%
Basic Materials	2.5%	2.4%
Utilities	1.3%	2.9%

Return for Risk

SUSA vs. PLDR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUSA

SUSA Risk / Return Rank: 62
SUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

PLDR

PLDR Risk / Return Rank: 43
PLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
PLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
PLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

SUSA vs. PLDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR). 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.

	SUSA	PLDR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.66	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	2.33	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.30	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	1.60	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	6.04	+6.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SUSA vs. PLDR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUSA Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the PLDR Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUSA and PLDR, 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

	SUSA	PLDR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.66	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.58	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.58	0.00

Drawdowns

SUSA vs. PLDR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUSA drawdown since its inception was -53.93%, which is greater than PLDR's maximum drawdown of -29.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSA and PLDR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUSA	PLDR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.93%	-29.58%	-24.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-12.81%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-23.00%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-29.58%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.20%	-0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.25%	-8.59%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	3.38%	-1.19%

Volatility

SUSA vs. PLDR - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) and Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) have volatilities of 3.29% and 3.19%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUSA	PLDR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	3.19%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	9.56%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.37%	12.38%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	17.07%	+0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.15%	17.04%	+1.11%

SUSA vs. PLDR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUSA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than PLDR's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SUSA vs. PLDR - Dividend Comparison

SUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, more than PLDR's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLDR Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF	0.36%	0.37%	0.38%	0.56%	0.63%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SUSA iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF	0.83%	0.89%	1.15%	1.32%	1.52%	0.98%	1.17%	1.52%	1.72%	1.40%	1.56%	1.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUSA and PLDR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SUSA and PLDR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SUSA or PLDR?

SUSA has higher volatility (3.29%) compared to PLDR (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSA dropped -53.93% vs PLDR's -29.58%.

Which ETF is better, SUSA or PLDR?

On 5-year performance, SUSA leads with 11.86% vs 9.82% for PLDR. On fees, SUSA is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PLDR has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUSA or PLDR?

Over the 5-year period, SUSA has performed better with a 11.86% return vs 9.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUSA or PLDR?

SUSA is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for PLDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUSA or PLDR?

SUSA has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.36% for PLDR.

What is the main difference between SUSA and PLDR?

SUSA is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PLDR is Sustainable. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Power Corporation of Canada. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SUSA and 0.59% for PLDR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.66), 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.