SCHG vs. IWL

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and IWL (iShares Russell Top 200 ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while IWL tracks the Russell Top 200 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHG returned 18.53%/yr vs 16.17%/yr for IWL. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IWL.

Performance

SCHG vs. IWL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) and iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHG achieves a 3.75% return, which is significantly lower than IWL's 7.88% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHG has outperformed IWL with an annualized return of 18.53%, while IWL has yielded a comparatively lower 16.17% annualized return.

SCHG

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: 3.75%
• 6M: 2.93%
• 1Y: 20.82%
• 3Y*: 24.03%
• 5Y*: 14.90%
• 10Y*: 18.53%

IWL

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 7.94%
• 1Y: 25.27%
• 3Y*: 22.49%
• 5Y*: 14.18%
• 10Y*: 16.17%

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

SCHG vs. IWL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	3.75%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF	7.88%	19.09%	27.12%	29.77%	-19.89%	27.79%	22.10%	31.42%	-3.30%	22.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHG and IWL 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	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2009	0.91

The correlation between SCHG and IWL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHG vs. IWL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHG	IWL
Technology	46.3%	38.2%
Communication Services	16.0%	12.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	10.0%
Healthcare	7.7%	8.8%
Financial Services	6.7%	12.0%
Industrials	5.8%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	5.0%
Basic Materials	1.4%	1.4%
Energy	0.8%	2.7%
Real Estate	0.5%	1.0%
Utilities	0.4%	1.3%

Return for Risk

SCHG vs. IWL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 36
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IWL

IWL Risk / Return Rank: 66
IWL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IWL Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWL Omega Ratio Rank: 68
IWL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IWL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

SCHG vs. IWL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) and iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL). 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.

	SCHG	IWL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	2.03	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	2.73	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.37	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	2.58	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	11.38	-7.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHG vs. IWL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHG Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the IWL Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHG and IWL, 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

	SCHG	IWL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	2.03	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.83	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.90	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.87	-0.04

Drawdowns

SCHG vs. IWL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHG drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, which is greater than IWL's maximum drawdown of -32.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHG and IWL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHG	IWL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-32.71%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.41%	-9.83%	-6.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-19.15%	-4.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-25.65%	-8.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	-32.71%	-1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-2.76%	-1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-3.88%	-1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	2.23%	+2.68%

Volatility

SCHG vs. IWL - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) has a higher volatility of 4.52% compared to iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL) at 3.99%. This indicates that SCHG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHG	IWL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	3.99%	+0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	9.60%	+2.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.77%	12.50%	+3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.31%	17.21%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.58%	18.11%	+3.47%

SCHG vs. IWL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than IWL's 0.15% 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

SCHG vs. IWL - Dividend Comparison

SCHG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than IWL's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWL iShares Russell Top 200 ETF	0.84%	0.90%	1.04%	1.30%	1.54%	1.12%	1.30%	1.96%	1.93%	1.69%	1.96%	2.14%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.37%	0.36%	0.39%	0.46%	0.55%	0.42%	0.52%	0.82%	1.27%	1.01%	1.04%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHG and IWL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SCHG and IWL 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, SCHG or IWL?

SCHG has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to IWL (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHG dropped -34.59% vs IWL's -32.71%.

Which ETF is better, SCHG or IWL?

On 10-year performance, SCHG leads with 18.53% vs 16.17% for IWL. On fees, SCHG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IWL has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHG or IWL?

Over the 10-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 18.53% return vs 16.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHG or IWL?

SCHG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IWL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHG or IWL?

IWL has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.37% for SCHG.

What is the main difference between SCHG and IWL?

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while IWL tracks Russell Top 200 Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHG and 0.15% for IWL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.33), 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.