PGRO vs VOO
Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, PGRO or VOO?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. PGRO led over 3Y, VOO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%.
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 | PGRO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $209M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 44 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +3.52% | +11.01%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.12% | +15.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.18%Best | +20.82% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.99% | +12.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,098 | $18,101Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.1% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.3 years).
PGRO vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.3 years both funds cover.
PGRO vs VOO Performance
Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (PGRO) is an ETF from Putnam Investments and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGRO returned +4.12% while VOO returned +15.60%. Year to date, PGRO is up 3.52% versus a gain of 11.01% for VOO.
Over three years, PGRO compounded at +21.18% per year against +20.82% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.99% and +12.60% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 15.4% for VOO. 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 -34.7% for PGRO and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGRO charges 0.49% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGRO currently yields 0.02% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
95.1% of PGRO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 45.7% of VOO's money is in holdings PGRO also owns.
Most of PGRO is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
36 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in PGRO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 44 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 451 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for PGRO (53.4% of the fund), and 3 for PGRO that do not appear in VOO (4.2%).
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 PGRO | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 12.54% | 7.55% | 4.99% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 10.33% | 3.24% | 7.09% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.35% | 7.05% | 0.70% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.88% | 5.36% | 0.48% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.73% | 2.86% | 2.87% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.98% | 4.13% | 1.15% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.68% | 1.41% | 3.27% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.07% | 1.90% | 2.17% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.72% | 1.44% | 1.28% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.65% | 1.36% | 1.29% |
95.1% of PGRO is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PGRO or VOO?
PGRO has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGRO or VOO?
Over the past year PGRO returned +4.12% vs +15.60% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGRO or VOO?
PGRO has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.4% for VOO. Worst drawdown: PGRO -34.7% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both PGRO and VOO?
PGRO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PGRO and VOO?
95.1% of PGRO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 45.7% of VOO's is in holdings PGRO also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in PGRO and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, PGRO or VOO?
PGRO yields 0.02% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than PGRO?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. PGRO led over 3Y, VOO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.