PFUT vs VYM
Putnam Sustainable Future ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PFUT or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PFUT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.64% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 72 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.9% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,309 | $17,218Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 94 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PFUT has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VYM through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFUT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 13.7% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -44.9% for PFUT and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFUT charges 0.64% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $64 vs $4 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFUT currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.3% of PFUT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.1% of VYM's money is in holdings PFUT also owns.
PFUT and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, PFUT as of Feb 27, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
9 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in PFUT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 72 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 559 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PFUT (88.4% of the fund), and 53 for PFUT that do not appear in VYM (76.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFUT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.21% | 7.29% | 6.08% |
| NRGNrg Energy Inc. | 1.86% | 0.12% | 1.74% |
| XYLXylem Inc (xyl) | 1.80% | 0.12% | 1.68% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc (kdp Us) | 1.72% | 0.18% | 1.54% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 1.35% | 0.52% | 0.83% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc. | 0.63% | 0.76% | 0.13% |
| HASIHannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. Com | 1.36% | 0.02% | 1.34% |
| TPGTpg Inc | 1.32% | 0.02% | 1.30% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 1.06% | 0.05% | 1.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFUT and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PFUT or VYM?
PFUT has an expense ratio of 0.64% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PFUT or VYM?
PFUT has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PFUT -44.9% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both PFUT and VYM?
PFUT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PFUT and VYM?
12.3% of PFUT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.1% of VYM's is in holdings PFUT also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in PFUT and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFUT or VYM?
PFUT yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PFUT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.