SCHJ vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHJ (Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHJ is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Corporate (1-5 Y), 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 5 years, SCHJ returned 2.31%/yr vs 7.13%/yr for SCHA. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHJ charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ) 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, SCHJ achieves a 0.56% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 19.79% return.

SCHJ

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 0.86%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 5.49%
• 5Y*: 2.31%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	0.56%	6.80%	4.89%	6.36%	-5.73%	-0.67%	5.30%	0.61%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	19.79%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	11.92%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHJ and SCHA is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.22

The correlation between SCHJ and SCHA shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHJ	SCHA
Financial Services	30.8%	15.7%
Technology	8.3%	23.3%
Healthcare	7.9%	13.5%
Industrials	7.2%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	9.0%
Utilities	6.4%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	2.6%
Communication Services	4.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	4.1%	6.0%
Energy	4.0%	5.5%
Basic Materials	1.4%	4.2%

Return for Risk

SCHJ vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHJ

SCHJ Risk / Return Rank: 72
SCHJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SCHJ Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SCHJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHJ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ) 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.

	SCHJ	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.25	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.16	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.38	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	4.26	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.17	15.66	-3.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHJ 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

	SCHJ	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.25	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.33	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.57	+0.07

Drawdowns

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHJ drawdown since its inception was -13.62%, smaller than the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHJ and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHJ	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.62%	-42.41%	+28.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.47%	-9.50%	+8.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.47%	-27.29%	+25.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.43%	-30.79%	+21.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.58%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.88%	-7.58%	+5.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	2.58%	-2.21%

Volatility

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ) is 0.55%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 5.08%. This indicates that SCHJ 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

	SCHJ	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	5.08%	-4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.35%	12.83%	-11.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87%	18.01%	-16.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.94%	21.93%	-18.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.13%	22.71%	-18.58%

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHJ has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% 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

SCHJ vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SCHJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, more 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%
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	4.50%	4.42%	4.00%	2.98%	1.64%	0.94%	2.54%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHJ and SCHA in my portfolio?

SCHJ and SCHA have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHJ or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to SCHJ (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHJ dropped -13.62% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, SCHJ or SCHA?

On 5-year performance, SCHA leads with 7.13% vs 2.31% for SCHJ. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHJ or SCHA?

Over the 5-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 7.13% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHJ or SCHA?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for SCHJ.

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

SCHJ has the higher dividend yield at 4.50%, compared with 1.00% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHJ and SCHA?

SCHJ is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while SCHA is Small Cap Growth Equities. SCHJ tracks Bloomberg US Corporate (1-5 Y), while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SCHJ and 0.04% for SCHA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.25), 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.