GEF vs. SCHG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GEF (Greif, Inc.) is a stock, while SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. Over the past 10 years, GEF returned 9.31%/yr vs 18.77%/yr for SCHG. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GEF vs. SCHG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Greif, Inc. (GEF) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEF achieves a -6.00% return, which is significantly lower than SCHG's 6.42% return. Over the past 10 years, GEF has underperformed SCHG with an annualized return of 9.31%, while SCHG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.77% annualized return.

GEF

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: -4.47%
• YTD: -6.00%
• 6M: -3.08%
• 1Y: 17.09%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: 4.14%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

SCHG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 6.42%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 25.02%
• 5Y*: 15.59%
• 10Y*: 18.77%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GEF vs. SCHG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEF Greif, Inc.	-6.00%	14.75%	-3.63%	0.91%	14.49%	32.59%	11.61%	24.52%	-36.67%	21.62%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	6.42%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%

Correlation

The correlation between GEF and SCHG is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2009	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between GEF and SCHG has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GEF vs. SCHG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GEF

GEF Risk / Return Rank: 58
GEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
GEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GEF Omega Ratio Rank: 55
GEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
GEF Martin Ratio Rank: 58

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 39
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GEF vs. SCHG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Greif, Inc. (GEF) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). 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.

	GEF	SCHG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	1.60	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	2.18	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.28	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	1.51	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	5.04	-3.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GEF vs. SCHG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the SCHG Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEF and SCHG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GEF	SCHG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	1.60	-1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.70	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.87	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.84	-0.62

Drawdowns

GEF vs. SCHG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEF drawdown since its inception was -62.66%, which is greater than SCHG's maximum drawdown of -34.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEF and SCHG.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEF	SCHG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.66%	-34.59%	-28.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.51%	-16.41%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.09%	-23.39%	-7.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-34.59%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.84%	-34.59%	-23.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.16%	-1.78%	-15.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.55%	-5.20%	-13.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.87%	4.90%	+4.97%

Volatility

GEF vs. SCHG - Volatility Comparison

Greif, Inc. (GEF) has a higher volatility of 7.59% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) at 3.61%. This indicates that GEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEF	SCHG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.59%	3.61%	+3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.07%	11.62%	+5.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.11%	15.50%	+13.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.79%	22.27%	+6.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.60%	21.55%	+14.05%

Dividends

GEF vs. SCHG - Dividend Comparison

GEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.52%, more than SCHG's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEF Greif, Inc.	3.52%	3.25%	3.47%	3.11%	2.86%	2.98%	3.75%	3.98%	4.63%	2.77%	3.27%	5.45%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.36%	0.36%	0.39%	0.46%	0.55%	0.42%	0.52%	0.82%	1.27%	1.01%	1.04%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEF and SCHG in my portfolio?

GEF and SCHG have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEF or SCHG?

GEF has higher volatility (7.59%) compared to SCHG (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEF dropped -62.66% vs SCHG's -34.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 0.59), 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.