PPIE vs RFDI
Putnam PanAgora ESG International Equity ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, PPIE or RFDI?
Nearly the same fund. PPIE costs less.
PPIE has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. RFDI is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%.
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 | PPIE | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $4M | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 12.07% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 142 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6% | -13.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $17,025 | $17,263Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.8% | 22.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2023 | Apr 14, 2016 |
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. PPIE has data through Jun 9, 2026 and RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2023 to Jun 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PPIE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 11.6% for RFDI. 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 -13.6% for PPIE and -13.4% for RFDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PPIE charges 0.49% per year while RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $83 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PPIE currently yields 12.07% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
14.2% of PPIE's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 14.4% of RFDI's money is in holdings PPIE also owns.
RFDI and PPIE share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 159 days apart, PPIE as of Feb 27, 2026 and RFDI as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
12 positions in common, counted across the 137 positions we hold weights for in PPIE and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 142 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for PPIE (4.7% of the fund), and 2 for PPIE that do not appear in RFDI (4.8%).
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 PPIE | Weight in RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 3.63% | 2.23% | 1.40% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.36% | 3.27% | 2.91% |
| SGEF:PAVinci Sa Common Stock | 2.69% | 0.80% | 1.89% |
| III:LN3I Group PLC | 2.10% | 0.75% | 1.35% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 0.71% | 1.87% | 1.16% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.29% | 1.14% | 0.15% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 1.30% | 0.64% | 0.66% |
| 8591:TKOrix Corporation Ordinary Shares | 0.60% | 1.07% | 0.47% |
| RKT:LNReckitt Benckiser Group | 0.50% | 1.12% | 0.62% |
| 0N9G:LNEndesa Sa - Common | 0.33% | 0.93% | 0.60% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PPIE and RFDI 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, PPIE or RFDI?
PPIE has an expense ratio of 0.49% while RFDI charges 0.83%. PPIE is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PPIE or RFDI?
PPIE has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 11.6% for RFDI. Worst drawdown: PPIE -13.6% vs RFDI -13.4%.
Should I hold both PPIE and RFDI?
PPIE and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 PPIE and RFDI?
14.4% of RFDI's money is in holdings PPIE also owns. 14.4% of RFDI's is in holdings PPIE also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 137 positions we hold weights for in PPIE and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PPIE or RFDI?
PPIE yields 12.07% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so PPIE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than PPIE?
PPIE has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. RFDI is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.