MILK vs. SCHJ

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MILK (Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF) and SCHJ (Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MILK is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index, while SCHJ is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MILK returned 4.12% vs 2.99% for SCHJ. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MILK charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHJ.

Performance

MILK vs. SCHJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) and Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MILK achieves a 0.94% return, which is significantly higher than SCHJ's 0.75% return.

MILK

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -1.69%
• 6M: 0.04%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 1Y: 4.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.21%

SCHJ

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -0.28%
• 6M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.75%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 5.46%
• 5Y*: 2.31%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.60%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	$195.76K	$144.48K	$113.75K
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	$5.98M	$7.81M	$6.46M

MILK vs. SCHJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	0.94%	7.49%	-1.49%
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	0.75%	6.80%	-0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between MILK and SCHJ is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2024	0.73

The correlation between MILK and SCHJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MILK vs. SCHJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MILK

MILK Risk / Return Rank: 37
MILK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MILK Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
MILK Omega Ratio Rank: 35
MILK Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
MILK Martin Ratio Rank: 40

SCHJ

SCHJ Risk / Return Rank: 79
SCHJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SCHJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SCHJ Omega Ratio Rank: 83
SCHJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SCHJ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MILK vs. SCHJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) and Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ). 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.

	MILK	SCHJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	1.86	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	2.80	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.35	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	2.44	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.33	9.17	-4.83

MILK vs. SCHJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MILK Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is lower than the SCHJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MILK and SCHJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MILK vs. SCHJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MILK drawdown since its inception was -6.16%, smaller than the maximum SCHJ drawdown of -13.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MILK and SCHJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MILK	SCHJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-13.62%	+7.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.75%	-1.47%	-2.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.47%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-0.33%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.13%	-1.85%	+0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	0.39%	+0.72%

Volatility

MILK vs. SCHJ - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ) at 0.53%. This indicates that MILK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MILK	SCHJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	0.53%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.82%	1.53%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.01%	1.93%	+3.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.55%	2.95%	+3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.55%	4.10%	+2.45%

MILK vs. SCHJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MILK has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHJ's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

MILK vs. SCHJ - Dividend Comparison

MILK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.07%, more than SCHJ's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	7.07%	6.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	4.09%	4.42%	4.00%	2.98%	1.64%	0.94%	2.54%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MILK and SCHJ in my portfolio?

MILK and SCHJ have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MILK or SCHJ?

MILK has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to SCHJ (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MILK dropped -6.16% vs SCHJ's -13.62%.

Which ETF is better, MILK or SCHJ?

On 1-year performance, MILK leads with 4.12% vs 2.99% for SCHJ. On fees, SCHJ is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MILK or SCHJ?

Over the 1-year period, MILK has performed better with a 4.12% return vs 2.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MILK or SCHJ?

SCHJ is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MILK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MILK or SCHJ?

MILK has the higher dividend yield at 7.07%, compared with 4.09% for SCHJ.

What is the main difference between MILK and SCHJ?

MILK is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while SCHJ is Short-Term Bond. MILK tracks Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index, while SCHJ tracks Bloomberg US 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MILK and 0.03% for SCHJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.96), 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.