Putnam Launches Its First ETFs

Those funds are distributed primarily through advisors, though they are available to other retail investors on some major investment platforms. All retail investors can access Putnam's new ETFs. The firm is "vehicle agnostic," Forcione said.

Here's a rundown of the new funds:

• Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF (PLDR) invests in companies of any size that have demonstrated leadership in sustainability issues that are financially material to their business context. Total expense ratio: 59 basis points.
• Putnam Sustainable Future ETF (PFUT) invests in companies of any size whose products and services provide innovative solutions to address key sustainability issues. Total expense ratio: 64 basis points.
• Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (PGRO) invests in companies that exhibit both a high level of growth and an above-average duration of growth that can outperform in a variety of economic environments. Total expense ratio: 55 basis points.
• Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF (PVAL) invests in companies that are priced below their long-term potential and are poised for positive change, which could include  fundamental improvement, strong cash flow that enables dividend growth, or relative value opportunities within sectors. Total expense ratio: 55 basis points.

Katherine Collins and Stephanie Dobson manage the two new sustainable ETFs; Richard Bodzy and Gregory McCullough manage the Focused Large Cap Growth ETF; and Darren Jaroch and Lauren DeMore manage the Large Cap Value ETF.

Forcione tells ThinkAdvisor that the firm expects to launch more actively managed equity ETFs in the future. He said the timing will depend in part on whether the Securities and Exchange Commission extends expedited broad approval to semi-transparent ETFs, as it has done for traditional ETFs.