SCHA vs. CGBL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and CGBL (Capital Group Core Balanced ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while CGBL is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Capital Group. SCHA is passively managed, while CGBL is actively managed. Over the past year, SCHA returned 41.92% vs 18.31% for CGBL. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHA charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for CGBL.

Performance

SCHA vs. CGBL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 20.80% return, which is significantly higher than CGBL's 7.54% return.

SCHA

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 20.80%
• 6M: 19.63%
• 1Y: 41.92%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

CGBL

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 7.54%
• 6M: 8.49%
• 1Y: 18.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHA vs. CGBL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	20.80%	11.60%	11.16%	14.22%
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	7.54%	15.33%	16.64%	9.80%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and CGBL is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2023	0.80

The correlation between SCHA and CGBL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHA vs. CGBL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHA	CGBL
Technology	23.3%	29.9%
Financial Services	15.7%	11.8%
Industrials	15.4%	16.6%
Healthcare	13.5%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	8.7%
Real Estate	6.0%	0.0%
Energy	5.5%	2.0%
Basic Materials	4.2%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	4.2%
Communication Services	2.4%	8.4%
Utilities	2.3%	2.5%

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. CGBL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

CGBL

CGBL Risk / Return Rank: 57
CGBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
CGBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
CGBL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
CGBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
CGBL Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

SCHA vs. CGBL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL). 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.

	SCHA	CGBL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.92	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.78	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.35	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.43	2.33	+2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.30	10.36	+5.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHA vs. CGBL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the CGBL Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and CGBL, 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

	SCHA	CGBL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.92	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	1.72	-1.14

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. CGBL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, which is greater than CGBL's maximum drawdown of -11.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and CGBL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	CGBL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-11.66%	-30.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-7.88%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	—	—
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	0.00%	-0.53%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-1.29%	-6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	1.77%	+0.81%

Volatility

SCHA vs. CGBL - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 4.81% compared to Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) at 3.10%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CGBL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	CGBL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	3.10%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.84%	7.84%	+5.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.96%	9.60%	+8.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.94%	11.02%	+10.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.71%	11.02%	+11.69%

SCHA vs. CGBL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than CGBL's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHA vs. CGBL - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than CGBL's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	1.85%	1.98%	1.92%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	0.99%	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 SCHA and CGBL in my portfolio?

SCHA and CGBL have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHA or CGBL?

SCHA has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to CGBL (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs CGBL's -11.66%.

Which ETF is better, SCHA or CGBL?

On 1-year performance, SCHA leads with 41.92% vs 18.31% for CGBL. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, CGBL has been the lower-risk option at 3.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHA or CGBL?

Over the 1-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 41.92% return vs 18.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHA or CGBL?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CGBL.

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

CGBL has the higher dividend yield at 1.85%, compared with 0.99% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHA and CGBL?

SCHA is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CGBL is Diversified Portfolio. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Capital Group. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHA and 0.33% for CGBL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.92), 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.