SCHA vs. SPSM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and SPSM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small 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 SPSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHA returned 11.13%/yr vs 10.77%/yr for SPSM. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SCHA charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

SCHA vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 19.79% return, which is significantly higher than SPSM's 15.28% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHA having a 11.13% annualized return and SPSM not far behind at 10.77%.

SCHA

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 19.79%
• 6M: 19.32%
• 1Y: 40.27%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

SPSM

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 15.28%
• 6M: 14.19%
• 1Y: 31.50%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

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

SCHA vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	19.79%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	15.28%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and SPSM is 0.95, 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	0.95
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 Jul 10, 2013	0.96

The correlation between SCHA and SPSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHA vs. SPSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHA	SPSM
Technology	23.3%	15.5%
Financial Services	15.7%	16.9%
Industrials	15.4%	15.5%
Healthcare	13.5%	11.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	13.4%
Real Estate	6.0%	7.7%
Energy	5.5%	5.9%
Basic Materials	4.2%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	3.5%
Communication Services	2.4%	3.6%
Utilities	2.3%	2.0%

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 58
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. SPSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	1.82	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	2.64	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.26	3.63	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	12.14	+3.52
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. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and SPSM, 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	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	1.82	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.27	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.47	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.45	+0.12

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, roughly equal to the maximum SPSM drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-42.89%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-8.72%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-27.94%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-27.94%	-2.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	-42.89%	+0.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.97%	+0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-7.93%	+0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	2.60%	-0.02%

Volatility

SCHA vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 5.08% compared to SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) at 4.44%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.08%	4.44%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	11.64%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.01%	17.47%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.93%	21.43%	+0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.71%	22.99%	-0.28%

SCHA vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SPSM's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHA vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than SPSM's 1.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.00%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.43%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHA and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SCHA and SPSM 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 SPSM?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to SPSM (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which ETF is better, SCHA or SPSM?

On 10-year performance, SCHA leads with 11.13% vs 10.77% for SPSM. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPSM has been the lower-risk option at 4.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHA or SPSM?

Over the 10-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 11.13% return vs 10.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHA or SPSM?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for SPSM.

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

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.00% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHA and SPSM?

SCHA is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SPSM is Small Cap Blend Equities. SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index, while SPSM tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHA and 0.05% for SPSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.82), 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.