OUNZ vs. SCHX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) and SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SCHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ returned 12.64%/yr vs 15.20%/yr for SCHX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OUNZ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHX.

Performance

OUNZ vs. SCHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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 lower than SCHX's 8.56% return. Over the past 10 years, OUNZ has underperformed SCHX with an annualized return of 12.64%, while SCHX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.20% 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%

SCHX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 24.19%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 15.20%

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

OUNZ vs. SCHX - 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%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	8.56%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%

Correlation

The correlation between OUNZ and SCHX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2014	0.02

The correlation between OUNZ and SCHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.02 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OUNZ vs. SCHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUNZ	SCHX
Real Estate	100.0%	2.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.4%
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	9.9%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	8.4%
Technology	-	38.3%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

OUNZ vs. SCHX — 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

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 66
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. SCHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.98	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.68	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.36	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	2.69	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	12.15	-8.33
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. SCHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUNZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the SCHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUNZ and SCHX, 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	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.98	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	0.75	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.84	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.84	-0.20

Drawdowns

OUNZ vs. SCHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUNZ drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, smaller than the maximum SCHX drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUNZ and SCHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUNZ	SCHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-34.33%	+12.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.00%	-9.02%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.00%	-19.04%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-25.41%	+4.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.76%	-34.33%	+12.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.83%	-2.64%	-17.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-3.97%	-3.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.96%	2.00%	+5.96%

Volatility

OUNZ vs. SCHX - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) has a higher volatility of 5.67% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) at 3.84%. This indicates that OUNZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OUNZ	SCHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	3.84%	+1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.29%	9.44%	+13.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.66%	12.27%	+14.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.99%	17.16%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	18.17%	-2.17%

OUNZ vs. SCHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUNZ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHX's 0.03% 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. SCHX - Dividend Comparison

OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

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%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.03%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUNZ and SCHX in my portfolio?

OUNZ and SCHX have a correlation of 0.21, 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 SCHX?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to SCHX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUNZ dropped -21.77% vs SCHX's -34.33%.

Which ETF is better, OUNZ or SCHX?

On 10-year performance, SCHX leads with 15.20% vs 12.64% for OUNZ. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHX has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUNZ or SCHX?

Over the 10-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 15.20% return vs 12.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUNZ or SCHX?

SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for OUNZ.

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

SCHX has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between OUNZ and SCHX?

OUNZ is categorized as Precious Metals, while SCHX is Large Cap Blend Equities. OUNZ tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Merk and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for OUNZ and 0.03% for SCHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.14), 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.