SCHI vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHI (Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHI is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Credit - Corporate (5-10 Y), while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHI returned 1.08%/yr vs 7.78%/yr for VBR. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHI vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHI achieves a -0.25% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 11.45% return.

SCHI

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: -0.25%
• 6M: 0.06%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 1.08%
• 10Y*: —

VBR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 12.14%
• 1Y: 24.85%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 7.78%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

SCHI vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SCHI Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF	-0.25%	9.47%	3.32%	8.97%	-14.06%	-1.85%	9.74%	1.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.45%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	10.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHI and VBR is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.22

Over the past year, SCHI and VBR have become more correlated (0.43) than their long-term average of 0.22, meaning their price movements have been converging.

SCHI vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHI	VBR
Financial Services	28.9%	17.6%
Utilities	9.0%	4.8%
Technology	8.8%	10.6%
Healthcare	7.9%	7.9%
Industrials	6.2%	18.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	12.4%
Communication Services	5.5%	2.5%
Energy	5.0%	5.2%
Real Estate	4.9%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.0%
Basic Materials	1.6%	6.3%

Return for Risk

SCHI vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHI

SCHI Risk / Return Rank: 46
SCHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SCHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SCHI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SCHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SCHI Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SCHI vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

	SCHI	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.65	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.43	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.82	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	9.94	-3.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHI vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHI Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHI and VBR, 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

	SCHI	VBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.65	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.40	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.42	-0.13

Drawdowns

SCHI vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHI drawdown since its inception was -20.67%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHI and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHI	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.67%	-61.98%	+41.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.01%	-8.85%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.14%	-24.19%	+18.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.67%	-24.19%	+3.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.80%	-0.95%	-0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-8.26%	+2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	2.51%	-1.61%

Volatility

SCHI vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI) is 1.33%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 3.67%. This indicates that SCHI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHI	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	3.67%	-2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.14%	10.49%	-7.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	15.16%	-11.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.66%	19.77%	-13.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.40%	21.74%	-14.34%

SCHI vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHI and VBR have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHI vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

SCHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, more than VBR's 1.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHI Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF	5.07%	4.99%	5.11%	4.27%	3.10%	1.93%	2.31%	0.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHI and VBR in my portfolio?

SCHI and VBR have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHI or VBR?

VBR has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to SCHI (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHI dropped -20.67% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which ETF is better, SCHI or VBR?

On 5-year performance, VBR leads with 7.78% vs 1.08% for SCHI. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHI has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHI or VBR?

Over the 5-year period, VBR has performed better with a 7.78% return vs 1.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHI or VBR?

SCHI and VBR have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHI or VBR?

SCHI has the higher dividend yield at 5.07%, compared with 1.76% for VBR.

What is the main difference between SCHI and VBR?

SCHI is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. SCHI tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Credit - Corporate (5-10 Y), while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.49), 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.