SCHG vs. VFMV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility 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 VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. SCHG is passively managed, while VFMV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHG returned 14.90%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for VFMV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.

Performance

SCHG vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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 VFMV's 7.46% 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%

VFMV

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 7.72%
• 1Y: 11.60%
• 3Y*: 13.97%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHG vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	3.75%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-4.19%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	7.46%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHG and VFMV is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between SCHG and VFMV has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SCHG vs. VFMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHG	VFMV
Technology	46.3%	25.1%
Communication Services	16.0%	10.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	6.9%
Healthcare	7.7%	10.1%
Financial Services	6.7%	10.6%
Industrials	5.8%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	9.5%
Basic Materials	1.4%	-
Energy	0.8%	3.9%
Real Estate	0.5%	6.4%
Utilities	0.4%	6.7%

Return for Risk

SCHG vs. VFMV — 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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 43
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.93	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.94	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	7.57	-3.32
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. VFMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHG Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the VFMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHG and VFMV, 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	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.81	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.68	+0.15

Drawdowns

SCHG vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHG drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, roughly equal to the maximum VFMV drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHG and VFMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHG	VFMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-33.64%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.41%	-6.00%	-10.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-10.35%	-13.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-15.41%	-19.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-2.00%	-2.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.20%	-3.63%	-1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	1.53%	+3.38%

Volatility

SCHG vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) has a higher volatility of 4.52% compared to Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) at 2.21%. This indicates that SCHG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHG	VFMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	2.21%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	6.37%	+5.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.77%	8.83%	+6.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.31%	11.75%	+10.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.58%	14.25%	+7.33%

SCHG vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VFMV's 0.13% 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. VFMV - Dividend Comparison

SCHG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than VFMV's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.95%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHG and VFMV in my portfolio?

SCHG and VFMV have a correlation of 0.48, 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 VFMV?

SCHG has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to VFMV (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHG dropped -34.59% vs VFMV's -33.64%.

Which ETF is better, SCHG or VFMV?

On 5-year performance, SCHG leads with 14.90% vs 9.52% for VFMV. On fees, SCHG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VFMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHG or VFMV?

Over the 5-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 14.90% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHG or VFMV?

SCHG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.

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

VFMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.37% for SCHG.

What is the main difference between SCHG and VFMV?

SCHG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VFMV is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHG and 0.13% for VFMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.32), 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.