ITOT vs. SCHQ

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) and SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index, while SCHQ is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ITOT returned 12.18%/yr vs -5.35%/yr for SCHQ. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) and Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ITOT achieves a 8.76% return, which is significantly higher than SCHQ's -0.75% return.

ITOT

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.31%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 21.07%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: 14.67%

SCHQ

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -0.87%
• YTD: -0.75%
• 6M: -1.11%
• 1Y: 4.57%
• 3Y*: -0.91%
• 5Y*: -5.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	8.76%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	10.52%
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-0.75%	5.50%	-6.44%	3.43%	-29.44%	-4.86%	17.73%	-4.02%

Correlation

The correlation between ITOT and SCHQ is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	-0.02

The correlation between ITOT and SCHQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITOT	SCHQ
Technology	33.8%	4.9%
Financial Services	12.1%	1.0%
Communication Services	10.3%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Industrials	9.5%	-
Healthcare	9.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Energy	3.7%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	-

Return for Risk

ITOT vs. SCHQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 64
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

SCHQ

SCHQ Risk / Return Rank: 15
SCHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SCHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
SCHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SCHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SCHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) and Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ). 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.

	ITOT	SCHQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	0.38	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	0.60	+2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.07	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	0.48	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.34	1.23	+12.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the SCHQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITOT and SCHQ, 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

	ITOT	SCHQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	0.38	+1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	-0.37	+1.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	-0.25	+0.82

Drawdowns

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITOT drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, which is greater than SCHQ's maximum drawdown of -46.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITOT and SCHQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITOT	SCHQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-46.13%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-7.01%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-17.65%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-40.93%	+15.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.95%	-37.02%	+34.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-26.37%	+19.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	2.72%	-0.78%

Volatility

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) has a higher volatility of 3.93% compared to Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) at 2.49%. This indicates that ITOT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITOT	SCHQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	2.49%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.56%	5.97%	+3.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	8.82%	+3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	14.52%	+2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	15.33%	+2.95%

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ITOT and SCHQ have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ITOT vs. SCHQ - Dividend Comparison

ITOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than SCHQ's 4.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	4.81%	4.54%	4.58%	3.79%	2.88%	1.69%	1.51%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITOT and SCHQ in my portfolio?

ITOT and SCHQ have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITOT or SCHQ?

ITOT has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to SCHQ (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITOT dropped -55.20% vs SCHQ's -46.13%.

Which ETF is better, ITOT or SCHQ?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.18% vs -5.35% for SCHQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITOT or SCHQ?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.18% return vs -5.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITOT or SCHQ?

ITOT and SCHQ have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ITOT or SCHQ?

SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.81%, compared with 1.00% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between ITOT and SCHQ?

ITOT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SCHQ is Government Bonds. ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index, while SCHQ tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.38), 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.