SCHA vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHA is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHA returned 11.20%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for SCHM. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHA vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 20.49% return, which is significantly higher than SCHM's 19.08% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHA having a 11.20% annualized return and SCHM not far ahead at 11.37%.

SCHA

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 20.49%
• 6M: 21.89%
• 1Y: 43.42%
• 3Y*: 19.15%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: 11.20%

SCHM

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 19.08%
• 6M: 20.61%
• 1Y: 34.01%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

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

SCHA vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	20.49%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	19.08%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and SCHM is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2011	0.97

The correlation between SCHA and SCHM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHA vs. SCHM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHA	SCHM
Technology	23.3%	22.0%
Financial Services	15.7%	11.3%
Industrials	15.4%	21.4%
Healthcare	13.5%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	10.3%
Real Estate	6.0%	6.5%
Energy	5.5%	3.6%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	3.8%
Communication Services	2.4%	2.6%
Utilities	2.3%	3.0%

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. SCHM — 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: 84
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 68
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.19	+0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.06	+0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	3.65	+0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.91	14.75	+2.16
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. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and SCHM, 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	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.19	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.42	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.56	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.59	-0.01

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHM drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-42.43%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-9.32%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-23.27%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-26.46%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	-42.43%	+0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-5.66%	-1.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	2.31%	+0.27%

Volatility

SCHA vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 5.04% compared to Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) at 4.75%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.75%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	11.77%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.99%	15.62%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.94%	19.56%	+2.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.71%	20.47%	+2.24%

SCHA vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHA and SCHM have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHA vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than SCHM's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.22%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHA and SCHM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SCHA and SCHM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SCHA or SCHM?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to SCHM (4.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which ETF is better, SCHA or SCHM?

On 10-year performance, SCHM leads with 11.37% vs 11.20% for SCHA. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHM has been the lower-risk option at 4.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHA or SCHM?

Over the 10-year period, SCHM has performed better with a 11.37% return vs 11.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHA or SCHM?

SCHA and SCHM have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.

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

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.99% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHA and SCHM?

SCHA is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SCHM is Mid Cap Growth Equities. SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index, while SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.19), 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.