MUNI vs. SCHO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MUNI (PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF) and SCHO (Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MUNI is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO, while SCHO is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. MUNI is actively managed, while SCHO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MUNI returned 2.17%/yr vs 1.71%/yr for SCHO. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MUNI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHO.

Performance

MUNI vs. SCHO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF (MUNI) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MUNI achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly higher than SCHO's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, MUNI has outperformed SCHO with an annualized return of 2.17%, while SCHO has yielded a comparatively lower 1.71% annualized return.

MUNI

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 6.54%
• 3Y*: 3.97%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

SCHO

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 3.39%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 1.80%
• 10Y*: 1.71%

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

MUNI vs. SCHO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MUNI PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF	1.28%	4.72%	1.43%	6.07%	-6.62%	0.67%	4.83%	7.09%	0.84%	4.86%
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	0.42%	5.49%	3.65%	4.31%	-3.87%	-0.64%	3.11%	3.47%	1.37%	0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between MUNI and SCHO is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2010	0.41

The correlation between MUNI and SCHO shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.58 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MUNI vs. SCHO — Risk / Return Rank

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

MUNI

MUNI Risk / Return Rank: 76
MUNI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
MUNI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
MUNI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
MUNI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MUNI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

SCHO

SCHO Risk / Return Rank: 81
SCHO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SCHO Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SCHO Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SCHO Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SCHO Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

MUNI vs. SCHO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF (MUNI) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). 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.

	MUNI	SCHO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	2.48	+0.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.35	4.06	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.50	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	3.96	-1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.33	17.03	-7.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MUNI vs. SCHO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MUNI Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is comparable to the SCHO Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MUNI and SCHO, 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

	MUNI	SCHO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	2.48	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.91	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	1.10	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.99	-0.21

Drawdowns

MUNI vs. SCHO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MUNI drawdown since its inception was -11.15%, which is greater than SCHO's maximum drawdown of -5.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUNI and SCHO.

Drawdown Indicators

	MUNI	SCHO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.15%	-5.69%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.29%	-0.86%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.09%	-0.98%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.15%	-5.69%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.15%	-5.69%	-5.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.27%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.73%	-0.61%	-1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	0.20%	+0.49%

Volatility

MUNI vs. SCHO - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF (MUNI) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO) at 0.41%. This indicates that MUNI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MUNI	SCHO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	0.41%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	0.90%	+0.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27%	1.37%	+0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.31%	1.98%	+1.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.85%	1.56%	+2.29%

MUNI vs. SCHO - Expense Ratio Comparison

MUNI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

MUNI vs. SCHO - Dividend Comparison

MUNI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, less than SCHO's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MUNI PIMCO Intermediate Municipal Bond Active ETF	3.28%	3.26%	3.50%	3.09%	2.13%	1.62%	1.92%	2.44%	2.38%	2.37%	2.37%	2.20%
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.91%	4.06%	4.29%	3.76%	1.34%	0.41%	1.27%	2.27%	1.60%	1.12%	0.82%	0.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MUNI and SCHO in my portfolio?

MUNI and SCHO have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MUNI or SCHO?

MUNI has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to SCHO (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MUNI dropped -11.15% vs SCHO's -5.69%.

Which ETF is better, MUNI or SCHO?

On 10-year performance, MUNI leads with 2.17% vs 1.71% for SCHO. On fees, SCHO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHO has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MUNI or SCHO?

Over the 10-year period, MUNI has performed better with a 2.17% return vs 1.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MUNI or SCHO?

SCHO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for MUNI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MUNI or SCHO?

SCHO has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 3.28% for MUNI.

What is the main difference between MUNI and SCHO?

MUNI is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while SCHO is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for MUNI and 0.03% for SCHO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MUNI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.48), 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.