RFFC vs. SCHG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RFFC (ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF) and SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFFC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SS&C, while SCHG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. RFFC is actively managed, while SCHG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFFC returned 12.66%/yr vs 18.65%/yr for SCHG. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RFFC charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHG.

Performance

RFFC vs. SCHG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFFC achieves a 10.13% return, which is significantly higher than SCHG's 1.35% return. Over the past 10 years, RFFC has underperformed SCHG with an annualized return of 12.66%, while SCHG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.65% annualized return.

RFFC

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 6M: 9.43%
• 1Y: 27.11%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 12.66%

SCHG

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: -3.93%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 0.09%
• 1Y: 17.91%
• 3Y*: 22.13%
• 5Y*: 13.27%
• 10Y*: 18.65%

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

RFFC vs. SCHG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	10.13%	16.83%	23.51%	19.50%	-14.58%	22.33%	12.48%	24.77%	-10.23%	21.02%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	1.35%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%

Correlation

The correlation between RFFC and SCHG is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2016	0.87

The correlation between RFFC and SCHG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

RFFC vs. SCHG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFFC	SCHG
Technology	33.0%	46.7%
Industrials	12.2%	6.0%
Healthcare	11.7%	8.4%
Financial Services	10.9%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	12.4%
Communication Services	8.7%	15.3%
Energy	4.8%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	1.6%
Utilities	2.4%	0.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

RFFC vs. SCHG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFFC

RFFC Risk / Return Rank: 72
RFFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
RFFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
RFFC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
RFFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
RFFC Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 28
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

RFFC vs. SCHG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). 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.

	RFFC	SCHG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.11	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	1.56	+1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.20	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	1.10	+1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.37	3.58	+9.79

RFFC vs. SCHG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is higher than the SCHG Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFFC and SCHG, 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

RFFC vs. SCHG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFFC drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHG drawdown of -34.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFFC and SCHG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFFC	SCHG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-34.59%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-16.41%	+7.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	-23.39%	+4.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-34.59%	+12.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-34.59%	-1.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	-6.46%	+4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-5.20%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	5.02%	-2.99%

Volatility

RFFC vs. SCHG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is 4.25%, while Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) has a volatility of 5.91%. This indicates that RFFC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFFC	SCHG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.25%	5.91%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	12.52%	-2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.45%	16.24%	-3.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.33%	22.38%	-6.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	21.58%	-3.57%

RFFC vs. SCHG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFFC has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFFC vs. SCHG - Dividend Comparison

RFFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, more than SCHG's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFFC ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF	0.64%	0.78%	1.05%	1.35%	1.41%	0.71%	1.79%	1.34%	1.36%	0.93%	0.66%	0.00%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.38%	0.36%	0.39%	0.46%	0.55%	0.42%	0.52%	0.82%	1.27%	1.01%	1.04%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFFC and SCHG in my portfolio?

RFFC and SCHG have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFFC or SCHG?

SCHG has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to RFFC (4.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFFC dropped -36.26% vs SCHG's -34.59%.

Which ETF is better, RFFC or SCHG?

On 10-year performance, SCHG leads with 18.65% vs 12.66% for RFFC. On fees, SCHG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, RFFC has been the lower-risk option at 4.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFFC or SCHG?

Over the 10-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 18.65% return vs 12.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFFC or SCHG?

SCHG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for RFFC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFFC or SCHG?

RFFC has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.38% for SCHG.

What is the main difference between RFFC and SCHG?

RFFC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SCHG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for RFFC and 0.04% for SCHG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.11), 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.