SCHA vs. SWSSX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX).

SCHA is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. It was launched on Nov 3, 2009. SWSSX is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. It was launched on May 19, 1997. Both SCHA and SWSSX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Performance Comparison

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

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	2.24%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	-2.49%	12.88%	11.57%	17.07%	-20.43%	14.77%	20.12%	25.63%	-11.19%	14.76%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 2.24% return, which is significantly higher than SWSSX's -2.49% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHA having a 9.84% annualized return and SWSSX not far behind at 9.50%.

SCHA

• 1D: 3.56%
• 1M: -4.59%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 4.84%
• 1Y: 25.65%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 9.84%

SWSSX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -8.18%
• YTD: -2.49%
• 6M: -0.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 11.83%
• 5Y*: 3.10%
• 10Y*: 9.50%

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

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHA and SWSSX 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%.

SCHA

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

SWSSX

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. SWSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 70
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SWSSX

SWSSX Risk / Return Rank: 50
SWSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SWSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SWSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SWSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SWSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. SWSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX). 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	SWSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	0.91	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.40	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.18	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	1.33	+0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.39	5.02	+2.37
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. SWSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the SWSSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and SWSSX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SCHA	SWSSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	0.91	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.14	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.40	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.33	+0.20

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and SWSSX is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than SWSSX's 1.32% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.17%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	1.32%	1.29%	1.66%	1.49%	1.32%	8.88%	2.55%	6.12%	10.45%	5.22%	4.10%	6.92%

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, smaller than the maximum SWSSX drawdown of -60.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and SWSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	SWSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-60.34%	+17.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.35%	-13.90%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-31.93%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	-41.81%	-0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.28%	-11.00%	+4.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.65%	-10.78%	+3.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	3.68%	-0.25%

Volatility

SCHA vs. SWSSX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) at 6.59%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	SWSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	6.59%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.69%	14.12%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.89%	23.11%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	22.57%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.67%	24.03%	-1.36%