TipRanks
Go Ultimate55% OFF

Top Page

PBDC

Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC)

Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:$30.00â–²(20.87% Upside)

PBDC, the Putnam BDC Income ETF, earns a solid overall rating driven mainly by large positions in strong business development companies like Ares Capital (ARCC) and Hercules Capital (HTGC), which show robust financial performance, attractive valuations, and supportive earnings call trends. Other sizable holdings such as Main Street Capital (MAIN) and Blue Owl Capital (OBDC) add income potential but face issues like bearish technical signals, cash flow fluctuations, and revenue declines, which modestly weigh on the fund’s rating. The main risk factor is the ETF’s concentrated exposure to BDCs, meaning its performance is closely tied to the health of this single niche in the credit and lending market.

Positive Factors
Focused Income StrategyThe fund concentrates on business development companies (BDCs), which are designed to generate income from lending to smaller and mid-sized businesses.
Meaningful Fund SizeWith a sizable asset base, the ETF appears established enough to offer reasonable trading liquidity for everyday investors.
Short-Term Performance UptickThe ETF has shown a recent one-month gain, suggesting some short-term recovery despite weaker results over longer periods.
Negative Factors
Extremely High Expense RatioThe fund’s very high annual fee significantly reduces the income and returns that investors keep.
Weak Recent PerformanceYear-to-date and three-month returns have been negative, indicating the ETF has recently struggled.
Concentrated Financial and U.S. ExposureHeavy weighting in U.S. financial companies, especially a few large BDCs, increases risk if this sector or the U.S. market faces a downturn.

PBDC vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

AUM
264.66M
Region
North America
Expense Ratio
11.77%
Beta
0.68
Issuer
Putnam
Inception Date
Sep 29, 2022
Dividend Yield
11.95%
Asset Class
Equity
Index Tracked
No Underlying Index

PBDC Summary

Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) is an exchange-traded fund that focuses on U.S. financial companies called Business Development Companies (BDCs), which lend money and provide support to smaller and mid-sized businesses. It does not track a traditional index, but instead follows a theme of income-focused BDCs, including well-known names like Ares Capital and Hercules Capital. Investors might consider PBDC if they want regular income from dividends and exposure to a range of BDCs in one fund. A key risk is that it is heavily concentrated in financial companies, so its price and income can rise or fall with that sector and the broader economy.

How much will it cost me?

The Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) has an expense ratio of 13.49%, which means you’ll pay $134.90 per year for every $1,000 invested. This is significantly higher than average because it is actively managed and focuses on a specialized niche in the financial sector, requiring more expertise and resources. While the cost is high, it reflects the fund's targeted approach and professional management.

What would affect this ETF?

The Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) could benefit from economic growth in the U.S., as Business Development Companies (BDCs) thrive when small and mid-sized businesses expand and seek capital. However, rising interest rates or tighter credit conditions could negatively impact BDCs by increasing borrowing costs and reducing demand for loans, potentially affecting the fund's income generation. Additionally, regulatory changes in the financial sector could influence the operations of top holdings like Ares Capital and Blue Owl Capital.

PBDC Top 10 Holdings

PBDC is firmly anchored in U.S. business development companies, with heavy exposure to names like Blue Owl Capital and Ares Capital, which have been mixed lately and no longer the clear engines of growth they once were. Blue Owl Technology Finance and Golub Capital are also lagging, acting as a bit of a brake on the fund’s momentum. On the brighter side, Hercules Capital, Main Street Capital, and Trinity Capital are steadier income workhorses, helping balance out the bumps. Overall, it’s a concentrated financials play, tightly focused on U.S. credit and lending to smaller businesses.

PBDC top ten holdings
NameCompany NameWeight %Market ValueMarket CapYearly GainOverall Rating
ARCCARCCAres Capital11.29%$29.28M$13.22B-5.56%80Outperform
OBDCOBDCBlue Owl Capital10.05%$26.07M$4.88B-21.89%69Neutral
OTFOTFBlue Owl Technology Finance Corp.9.47%$24.57M$4.13B-37.19%――
MAINMAINMain Street Capital9.17%$23.79M$4.97B-7.92%75Outperform
HTGCHTGCHercules Capital, Inc.8.92%$23.15M$3.01B-6.92%79Outperform
GBDCGBDCGolub Capital Bdc5.30%$13.74M$3.12B-13.85%71Outperform
TRINTRINTrinity Capital4.71%$12.21M$1.50B9.37%76Outperform
BXSLBXSLBlackstone Secured Lending Fund4.49%$11.64M$5.47B-9.02%74Outperform
TSLXTSLXSixth Street Specialty Lending4.27%$11.09M$1.60B-22.37%75Outperform
CSWCCSWCCapital Southwest3.75%$9.73M$1.44B9.81%68Neutral

PBDC Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis SentimentNegative
Last Price24.82

Price Trends

50DMA26.69Negative
100DMA26.25Negative
200DMA26.32Negative

Market Momentum

MACD-0.43Positive
RSI31.44Neutral
STOCH16.50Positive

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PBDC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 24.82 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 25.83, below the 50-day MA of 26.69, and below the 200-day MA of 26.32, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.43 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 31.44 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.50 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for PBDC.

PBDC Peer Comparison

Comparison Results

PBDC against its peer funds
NamePricePrice TargetAUMExpense RatioOverall Rating
PBDCPBDC$24.82$30.00(20.87% Upside)$264.66M11.77%65Neutral
FEPIFEPI$41.43$55.08(32.94% Upside)$714.28M0.65%71Outperform
GTOPGTOP$48.97$63.42(29.49% Upside)$735.90M0.65%74Outperform
IETCIETC$108.04$144.80(34.02% Upside)$666.15M0.18%73Outperform
AIPIAIPI$35.87$46.49(29.60% Upside)$476.82M0.65%73Outperform
JPREJPRE$50.71$57.69(13.76% Upside)$462.50M0.50%67Neutral

Performance Comparison

-10%0%10%20%30%PBDCFEPIGTOPIETCAIPIJPRENov '25Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
PBDC and its peers over the selected period
Show on chartTickerCompany NamePriceChange% Change
PBDCPutnam BDC Income ETF24.82-2.47-9.05%
FEPIREX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF41.434.5912.47%
GTOPGoldman Sachs Technology Opportunities ETF48.978.9722.44%
IETCiShares Evolved US Technology ETF108.046.456.35%
AIPIREX AI Equity Premium Income ETF35.875.3117.36%
JPREJPMorgan Realty Income ETF50.713.337.02%
Glossary
BuyAn ETF rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldAn ETF rated as a "Hold" s expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the ETF is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellAn ETF rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF may deliver lower returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer

This AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.