SCHG vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while SCHA is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHG returned 18.77%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for SCHA. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHG vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHG achieves a 6.42% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 19.79% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHG has outperformed SCHA with an annualized return of 18.77%, while SCHA has yielded a comparatively lower 11.13% annualized return.

SCHG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 6.42%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 25.02%
• 5Y*: 15.59%
• 10Y*: 18.77%

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%

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

SCHG vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	6.42%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHG and SCHA is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2009	0.80

The correlation between SCHG and SCHA shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (3 years) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHG vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHG	SCHA
Technology	46.3%	23.3%
Communication Services	16.0%	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	9.0%
Healthcare	7.7%	13.5%
Financial Services	6.7%	15.7%
Industrials	5.8%	15.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	2.6%
Basic Materials	1.4%	4.2%
Energy	0.8%	5.5%
Real Estate	0.5%	6.0%
Utilities	0.4%	2.3%

Return for Risk

SCHG vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 39
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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

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. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.25	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	3.16	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.38	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	4.26	-2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.04	15.66	-10.61
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. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHG Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHG and SCHA, 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	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.25	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.33	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.49	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.57	+0.27

Drawdowns

SCHG vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHG drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, smaller than the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHG and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHG	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-42.41%	+7.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.41%	-9.50%	-6.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-27.29%	+3.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-30.79%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	-42.41%	+7.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.78%	-0.58%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-7.58%	+2.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	2.58%	+2.32%

Volatility

SCHG vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) is 3.61%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 5.08%. This indicates that SCHG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHG	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	5.08%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	12.83%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	18.01%	-2.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.27%	21.93%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.55%	22.71%	-1.16%

SCHG vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHG and SCHA 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%.

Dividends

SCHG vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SCHG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than SCHA's 1.00% 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%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.36%	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 SCHA in my portfolio?

SCHG and SCHA have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHG or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to SCHG (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHG dropped -34.59% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, SCHG or SCHA?

On 10-year performance, SCHG leads with 18.77% vs 11.13% for SCHA. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHG has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHG or SCHA?

Over the 10-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 18.77% return vs 11.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHG or SCHA?

SCHG and SCHA have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.

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

SCHA has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.36% for SCHG.

What is the main difference between SCHG and SCHA?

SCHG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHA is Small Cap Growth Equities. SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.60), 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.