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SCHA vs. VBK
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

SCHA vs. VBK

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK).

SCHA and VBK are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. 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. VBK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. Both SCHA and VBK 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. VBK - Performance Comparison

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

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SCHA vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.16%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 2.24% return, which is significantly higher than VBK's 0.16% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHA has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 9.84%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 10.46% annualized return.

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%

VBK

1D
4.37%
1M
-5.52%
YTD
0.16%
6M
1.80%
1Y
20.70%
3Y*
12.47%
5Y*
2.16%
10Y*
10.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Often compared with SCHA:
SCHA vs. VBSCHA vs. SWSSXSCHA vs. IJRSCHA vs. SCHDSCHA vs. SCHBSCHA vs. AVUVSCHA vs. SCHM
Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. VIOGVBK vs. VTWG

SCHA vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBK's 0.07% 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%.

VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF
SCHA
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SCHA
SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

SCHAVBKDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.13

0.85

+0.27

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.69

1.34

+0.35

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.18

+0.05

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.77

1.38

+0.39

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

7.39

5.52

+1.87

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. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and VBK, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SCHAVBKDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.13

0.85

+0.27

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.20

0.09

+0.10

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.44

0.46

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.53

0.40

+0.13

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and VBK is 0.96, 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. VBK - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than VBK's 0.52% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.52%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and VBK.

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Drawdown Indicators

SCHAVBKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-42.41%

-58.68%

+16.27%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.35%

-14.56%

+0.21%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.79%

-38.39%

+7.60%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.41%

-38.70%

-3.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.28%

-7.57%

+1.29%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.65%

-10.22%

+2.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.43%

3.65%

-0.22%

Volatility

SCHA vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is 7.40%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that SCHA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SCHAVBKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.40%

8.73%

-1.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.69%

15.41%

-1.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.89%

24.44%

-1.55%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.95%

23.49%

-1.54%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.67%

22.80%

-0.13%