SCHG vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHG returned 18.56%/yr vs 17.79%/yr for VUG. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. SCHG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

SCHG vs. VUG - 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 Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHG achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 9.81% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHG having a 18.56% annualized return and VUG not far behind at 17.79%.

SCHG

• 1D: 1.89%
• 1M: 4.10%
• 6M: 13.23%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 1Y: 18.46%
• 3Y*: 24.14%
• 5Y*: 13.74%
• 10Y*: 18.56%
• ALL TIME*: 16.60%

VUG

• 1D: 2.31%
• 1M: 4.20%
• 6M: 13.15%
• YTD: 9.81%
• 1Y: 18.35%
• 3Y*: 24.22%
• 5Y*: 12.88%
• 10Y*: 17.79%
• ALL TIME*: 12.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	$253.95M	$251.67M	$339.26M
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$557.36M	$649.80M	$660.09M

SCHG vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	17.50%	34.95%	50.10%	-31.80%	28.11%	39.14%	36.02%	-1.36%	28.05%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.81%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHG and VUG is 0.98 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2009	0.99

The correlation between SCHG and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHG vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHG	VUG
Technology	44.0%	56.2%
Communication Services	14.1%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.2%	11.5%
Healthcare	9.9%	4.7%
Financial Services	7.7%	3.8%
Industrials	7.6%	5.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.5%
Energy	0.9%	0.3%
Real Estate	0.6%	1.0%
Utilities	0.5%	0.7%

Return for Risk

SCHG vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 36
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 35
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SCHG vs. VUG - 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 Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SCHG	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.04	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	1.51	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.19	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	1.12	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.57	3.54	+0.03

SCHG vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHG Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHG and VUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SCHG vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHG drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHG and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHG	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.59%	-50.68%	+16.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.41%	-16.53%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-22.85%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.59%	-35.61%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.59%	-35.61%	+1.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.22%	+1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.19%	-7.08%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.19%	5.20%	-0.01%

Volatility

SCHG vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) is 4.97%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that SCHG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHG	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	6.22%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	14.55%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.72%	17.86%	-1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	22.55%	-0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	21.58%	+0.03%

SCHG vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VUG - Dividend Comparison

SCHG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than VUG's 0.38% 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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.38%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHG and VUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SCHG and VUG 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 VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to SCHG (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHG dropped -34.59% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, SCHG or VUG?

On 10-year performance, SCHG leads with 18.56% vs 17.79% for VUG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHG has been the lower-risk option at 4.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHG or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, SCHG has performed better with a 18.56% return vs 17.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHG or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for SCHG.

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

SCHG and VUG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.37%.

What is the main difference between SCHG and VUG?

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHG and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 1.04), 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.