SCHH vs. SMBS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SCHH (Schwab US REIT ETF) and SMBS (Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHH is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index, while SMBS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund tracking the Bloomberg US MBS Float Adjusted Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SCHH returned 14.58% vs 5.87% for SMBS. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHH charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SMBS.

Performance

SCHH vs. SMBS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH) and Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (SMBS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHH achieves a 13.92% return, which is significantly higher than SMBS's 0.72% return.

SCHH

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 13.92%
• 6M: 14.36%
• 1Y: 14.58%
• 3Y*: 11.60%
• 5Y*: 3.36%
• 10Y*: 4.16%

SMBS

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 5.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHH vs. SMBS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF	13.92%	2.20%	-4.87%
SMBS Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF	0.72%	8.15%	-0.16%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHH and SMBS is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2024	0.28

Return for Risk

SCHH vs. SMBS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHH

SCHH Risk / Return Rank: 32
SCHH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
SCHH Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SCHH Omega Ratio Rank: 29
SCHH Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SCHH Martin Ratio Rank: 37

SMBS

SMBS Risk / Return Rank: 42
SMBS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SMBS Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SMBS Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SMBS Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
SMBS Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

SCHH vs. SMBS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH) and Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (SMBS). 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.

	SCHH	SMBS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.43	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.10	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.26	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	2.08	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.53	6.73	-1.21

SCHH vs. SMBS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHH Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the SMBS Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHH and SMBS, 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

SCHH vs. SMBS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHH drawdown since its inception was -44.22%, which is greater than SMBS's maximum drawdown of -3.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHH and SMBS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHH	SMBS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.22%	-3.20%	-41.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-2.83%	-5.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.76%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-1.32%	-0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-0.85%	-8.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	0.87%	+1.77%

Volatility

SCHH vs. SMBS - Volatility Comparison

Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (SMBS) at 1.26%. This indicates that SCHH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMBS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHH	SMBS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	1.26%	+3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.38%	3.15%	+7.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.86%	4.12%	+9.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.76%	4.86%	+13.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	4.86%	+16.16%

SCHH vs. SMBS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHH has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SMBS'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

SCHH vs. SMBS - Dividend Comparison

SCHH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than SMBS's 5.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF	2.75%	3.04%	3.22%	3.24%	2.55%	1.50%	2.86%	2.86%	3.64%	2.22%	2.81%	2.48%
SMBS Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF	5.17%	4.83%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHH and SMBS in my portfolio?

SCHH and SMBS have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHH or SMBS?

SCHH has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to SMBS (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHH dropped -44.22% vs SMBS's -3.20%.

Which ETF is better, SCHH or SMBS?

On 1-year performance, SCHH leads with 14.58% vs 5.87% for SMBS. On fees, SMBS is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SMBS has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHH or SMBS?

Over the 1-year period, SCHH has performed better with a 14.58% return vs 5.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHH or SMBS?

SMBS is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for SCHH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHH or SMBS?

SMBS has the higher dividend yield at 5.17%, compared with 2.75% for SCHH.

What is the main difference between SCHH and SMBS?

SCHH is categorized as REIT, while SMBS is Mortgage Backed Securities. SCHH tracks Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index, while SMBS tracks Bloomberg US MBS Float Adjusted Total Return Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SCHH and 0.03% for SMBS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMBS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.06), 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.