QQQS vs. SCHA

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQQS (Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - QQQS tracks the Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index while SCHA tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QQQS returned 15.55%/yr vs 16.46%/yr for SCHA. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQS charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

QQQS vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQS achieves a 26.17% return, which is significantly higher than SCHA's 20.77% return.

QQQS

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 3.56%
• 6M: 17.97%
• YTD: 26.17%
• 1Y: 59.24%
• 3Y*: 15.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHA

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 12.51%
• YTD: 20.77%
• 1Y: 34.13%
• 3Y*: 16.46%
• 5Y*: 8.40%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

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

QQQS vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	26.17%	23.03%	10.20%	-1.94%	11.47%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	20.77%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	6.11%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQS and SCHA is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2022	0.89

The correlation between QQQS and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQS vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQS	SCHA
Healthcare	49.3%	15.9%
Technology	23.8%	22.0%
Industrials	6.3%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	9.4%
Communication Services	2.3%	2.7%
Energy	1.6%	5.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	2.5%
Basic Materials	0.5%	4.0%
Financial Services	0.1%	15.5%
Real Estate	-	6.1%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

QQQS vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQS

QQQS Risk / Return Rank: 83
QQQS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QQQS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
QQQS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQS Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
QQQS Martin Ratio Rank: 85

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 74
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

QQQS vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.

	QQQS	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.81	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.59	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	3.61	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.75	12.59	+1.16

QQQS vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQS Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQS and SCHA, 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

QQQS vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQS drawdown since its inception was -38.06%, smaller than the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQS and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQS	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.06%	-42.41%	+4.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.63%	-9.50%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.32%	-27.29%	-7.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.79%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.58%	-5.20%	+1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.95%	-7.54%	-5.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	2.72%	+1.60%

Volatility

QQQS vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) is 5.57%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 5.98%. This indicates that QQQS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQS	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	5.98%	-0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.08%	14.41%	+5.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.18%	18.97%	+8.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.43%	22.07%	+6.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.43%	22.73%	+5.70%

QQQS vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% 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

QQQS vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

QQQS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than SCHA's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	2.61%	3.48%	0.80%	0.68%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.04%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQS and SCHA in my portfolio?

QQQS and SCHA have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQS or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to QQQS (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQS dropped -38.06% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, QQQS or SCHA?

On 3-year performance, SCHA leads with 16.46% vs 15.55% for QQQS. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, QQQS has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQS or SCHA?

Over the 3-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 16.46% return vs 15.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQS or SCHA?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for QQQS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQS or SCHA?

QQQS has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 1.04% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between QQQS and SCHA?

QQQS tracks Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QQQS and 0.04% for SCHA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.81), 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.