OUNZ vs. SCHR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) and SCHR (Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SCHR is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ returned 12.64%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for SCHR. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OUNZ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SCHR.

Performance

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OUNZ achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly higher than SCHR's -0.76% return. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ has outperformed SCHR with an annualized return of 12.64%, while SCHR has yielded a comparatively lower 1.15% annualized return.

OUNZ

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 29.90%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

SCHR

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: -0.76%
• 6M: -0.40%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 3.39%
• 5Y*: -0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.15%

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

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.29%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	-4.00%	24.71%	18.00%	-2.06%	12.82%
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-0.76%	7.33%	1.42%	4.27%	-10.58%	-2.62%	7.72%	6.18%	1.46%	1.59%

Correlation

The correlation between OUNZ and SCHR is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2014	0.38

The correlation between OUNZ and SCHR shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (3 years) to 0.39 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUNZ	SCHR
Real Estate	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	1.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

OUNZ vs. SCHR — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 34
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

SCHR

SCHR Risk / Return Rank: 31
SCHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SCHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SCHR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SCHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SCHR Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR). 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.

	OUNZ	SCHR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.07	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.63	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	1.29	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	3.75	+0.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUNZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the SCHR Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUNZ and SCHR, 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

	OUNZ	SCHR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.07	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	-0.01	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.26	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.44	+0.21

Drawdowns

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUNZ drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, which is greater than SCHR's maximum drawdown of -16.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUNZ and SCHR.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUNZ	SCHR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-16.11%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.00%	-2.79%	-17.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.00%	-4.35%	-15.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-15.07%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.76%	-16.11%	-5.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.83%	-2.69%	-17.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-3.64%	-3.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.96%	0.96%	+7.00%

Volatility

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) has a higher volatility of 5.67% compared to Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR) at 1.04%. This indicates that OUNZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OUNZ	SCHR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	1.04%	+4.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.29%	2.36%	+20.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.66%	3.36%	+23.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.99%	5.38%	+12.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	4.47%	+11.53%

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUNZ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHR's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

OUNZ vs. SCHR - Dividend Comparison

OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.93%	3.85%	3.77%	3.16%	2.02%	1.00%	1.62%	2.31%	2.11%	1.65%	1.45%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUNZ and SCHR in my portfolio?

OUNZ and SCHR have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUNZ or SCHR?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to SCHR (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUNZ dropped -21.77% vs SCHR's -16.11%.

Which ETF is better, OUNZ or SCHR?

On 10-year performance, OUNZ leads with 12.64% vs 1.15% for SCHR. On fees, SCHR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SCHR has been the lower-risk option at 1.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUNZ or SCHR?

Over the 10-year period, OUNZ has performed better with a 12.64% return vs 1.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUNZ or SCHR?

SCHR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for OUNZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OUNZ or SCHR?

SCHR has the higher dividend yield at 3.93%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between OUNZ and SCHR?

OUNZ is categorized as Precious Metals, while SCHR is Government Bonds. OUNZ tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SCHR tracks Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Merk and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for OUNZ and 0.05% for SCHR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OUNZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 1.07), 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.