AQWA vs. SCHB
AQWA (Global X Clean Water ETF) and SCHB (Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AQWA is a Water Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Clean Water Industry Index, while SCHB is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AQWA returned 5.29%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for SCHB. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AQWA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHB.
Performance
AQWA vs. SCHB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AQWA achieves a 4.10% return, which is significantly lower than SCHB's 10.20% return.
AQWA
- 1D
- 1.66%
- 1M
- 2.17%
- 6M
- -0.62%
- YTD
- 4.10%
- 1Y
- 4.35%
- 3Y*
- 9.18%
- 5Y*
- 5.29%
- 10Y*
- —
SCHB
- 1D
- -0.96%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- 6M
- 8.10%
- YTD
- 10.20%
- 1Y
- 19.87%
- 3Y*
- 19.00%
- 5Y*
- 12.14%
- 10Y*
- 14.56%
AQWA vs. SCHB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AQWA Global X Clean Water ETF | 4.10% | 13.15% | 4.34% | 20.13% | -19.89% | 15.67% |
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | 10.20% | 16.94% | 23.93% | 26.16% | -19.46% | 13.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between AQWA and SCHB is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2021 | 0.71 |
The correlation between AQWA and SCHB shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
AQWA vs. SCHB — Risk / Return Rank
AQWA
SCHB
AQWA vs. SCHB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) and Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AQWA | SCHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.28 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.35 | 2.24 | -1.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.77 | 9.74 | -8.97 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
AQWA vs. SCHB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AQWA drawdown since its inception was -29.44%, smaller than the maximum SCHB drawdown of -35.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQWA and SCHB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| AQWA | SCHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.44% | -35.27% | +5.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.34% | -8.91% | -3.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.55% | -19.34% | +4.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.44% | -25.41% | -4.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.27% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.48% | -1.68% | -4.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.27% | -4.10% | -4.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.67% | 2.04% | +3.63% |
Volatility
AQWA vs. SCHB - Volatility Comparison
Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) at 3.39%. This indicates that AQWA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| AQWA | SCHB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.25% | 3.39% | +1.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.67% | 10.21% | +1.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.82% | 12.87% | +1.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.86% | 17.35% | -0.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.66% | 18.30% | -1.64% |
AQWA vs. SCHB - Expense Ratio Comparison
AQWA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
AQWA vs. SCHB - Dividend Comparison
AQWA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, more than SCHB's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AQWA Global X Clean Water ETF | 1.54% | 1.47% | 1.40% | 1.53% | 1.56% | 1.20% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SCHB Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | 1.05% | 1.11% | 1.24% | 1.40% | 1.61% | 1.21% | 1.63% | 1.80% | 2.00% | 1.65% | 1.86% | 2.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AQWA and SCHB have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AQWA has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to SCHB (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AQWA dropped -29.44% vs SCHB's -35.27%.
On 5-year performance, SCHB leads with 12.14% vs 5.29% for AQWA. On fees, SCHB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHB has been the lower-risk option at 3.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SCHB has performed better with a 12.14% return vs 5.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AQWA.
AQWA has the higher dividend yield at 1.54%, compared with 1.05% for SCHB.
AQWA is categorized as Water Equities, while SCHB is Large Cap Blend Equities. AQWA tracks Solactive Global Clean Water Industry Index, while SCHB tracks Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for AQWA and 0.03% for SCHB.
SCHB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.29), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for AQWA and SCHB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer