SCHA vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 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 SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHA returned 10.95%/yr vs 15.40%/yr for SPYM. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHA charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

SCHA vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 17.78% return, which is significantly higher than SPYM's 8.75% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHA has underperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 10.95%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively higher 15.40% annualized return.

SCHA

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 17.78%
• 6M: 16.92%
• 1Y: 36.31%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

SPYM

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 8.75%
• 6M: 8.78%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.46%
• 5Y*: 13.50%
• 10Y*: 15.40%

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

SCHA vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	17.78%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	8.75%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and SPYM is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009	0.79

The correlation between SCHA and SPYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHA vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHA	SPYM
Technology	23.9%	38.5%
Industrials	15.6%	7.6%
Financial Services	15.3%	11.1%
Healthcare	13.2%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	9.9%
Real Estate	5.9%	1.8%
Energy	5.4%	3.2%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	4.6%
Utilities	2.3%	2.5%
Communication Services	2.3%	10.6%

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. SPYM — 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: 67
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.08	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.80	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.38	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	2.81	+1.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.05	12.97	+1.07
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. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and SPYM, 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	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.08	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.81	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.86	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.61	-0.04

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-54.46%	+12.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-8.90%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-18.72%	-8.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-24.48%	-6.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	-33.87%	-8.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.50%	-2.66%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-7.15%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	1.92%	+0.67%

Volatility

SCHA vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 5.79% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 3.72%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.79%	3.72%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.28%	9.30%	+3.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.31%	12.07%	+6.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	16.84%	+5.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	18.02%	+4.72%

SCHA vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% 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

SCHA vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, which matches SPYM's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.02%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHA and SPYM in my portfolio?

SCHA and SPYM have a correlation of 0.79, 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 SPYM?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.79%) compared to SPYM (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, SCHA or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, SPYM leads with 15.40% vs 10.95% for SCHA. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHA or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 15.40% return vs 10.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHA or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for SCHA.

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

SCHA and SPYM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.02%.

What is the main difference between SCHA and SPYM?

SCHA is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHA and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 2.00), 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.