QGRO vs. SCHC

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

QGRO (American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index, while SCHC is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Small Cap ex U.S. Liquid Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QGRO returned 10.34%/yr vs 5.82%/yr for SCHC. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for SCHC.

Performance

QGRO vs. SCHC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QGRO achieves a 0.22% return, which is significantly lower than SCHC's 4.65% return.

QGRO

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -2.38%
• 6M: -0.20%
• YTD: 0.22%
• 1Y: 5.76%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.79%

SCHC

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: -3.47%
• 6M: 0.04%
• YTD: 4.65%
• 1Y: 15.26%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 7.81%
• ALL TIME*: 6.92%

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

QGRO vs. SCHC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.22%	15.18%	31.42%	32.42%	-24.54%	24.57%	37.99%	35.09%	-16.08%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	4.65%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-14.89%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and SCHC is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2018	0.71

The correlation between QGRO and SCHC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

QGRO vs. SCHC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	SCHC
Technology	42.5%	8.6%
Communication Services	15.2%	2.7%
Industrials	12.3%	20.0%
Healthcare	11.6%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	9.4%
Financial Services	3.9%	15.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	3.9%
Energy	1.2%	5.3%
Utilities	0.8%	2.8%
Real Estate	0.8%	6.2%
Basic Materials	0.2%	13.1%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. SCHC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 17
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 15
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 19

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 33
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

QGRO vs. SCHC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC). 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.

	QGRO	SCHC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	0.93	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	1.37	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.17	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.43	1.23	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.42	3.97	-2.56

QGRO vs. SCHC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the SCHC Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO and SCHC, 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

QGRO vs. SCHC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, smaller than the maximum SCHC drawdown of -43.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and SCHC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	SCHC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-43.94%	+11.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-12.48%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	-15.30%	-8.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	-36.48%	+4.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.11%	-7.55%	+4.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-10.02%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.08%	3.85%	+0.23%

Volatility

QGRO vs. SCHC - Volatility Comparison

American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) has a higher volatility of 4.69% compared to Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) at 4.14%. This indicates that QGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	SCHC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.69%	4.14%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.84%	14.33%	-1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.08%	16.46%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.20%	17.62%	+3.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	17.80%	+5.06%

QGRO vs. SCHC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHC's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. SCHC - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than SCHC's 3.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.19%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.54%	3.66%	3.72%	2.94%	1.78%	3.02%	1.62%	3.23%	2.51%	2.73%	2.01%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and SCHC in my portfolio?

QGRO and SCHC have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QGRO or SCHC?

QGRO has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to SCHC (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs SCHC's -43.94%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or SCHC?

On 5-year performance, QGRO leads with 10.34% vs 5.82% for SCHC. On fees, SCHC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SCHC has been the lower-risk option at 4.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or SCHC?

Over the 5-year period, QGRO has performed better with a 10.34% return vs 5.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or SCHC?

SCHC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for QGRO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QGRO or SCHC?

SCHC has the higher dividend yield at 3.54%, compared with 0.19% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and SCHC?

QGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHC is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. QGRO tracks American Century U.S. Quality Growth Index, while SCHC tracks FTSE Developed Small Cap ex U.S. Liquid Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.08% for SCHC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.36), 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.