SCHK vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SCHK (Schwab 1000 Index ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHK is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Schwab 1000 Index, while SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHK returned 13.25%/yr vs 7.31%/yr for SCHA. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

SCHK vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) 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, SCHK achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 20.80% return.

SCHK

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 4.73%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 6M: 11.39%
• 1Y: 28.35%
• 3Y*: 22.57%
• 5Y*: 13.25%
• 10Y*: —

SCHA

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 20.80%
• 6M: 19.63%
• 1Y: 41.92%
• 3Y*: 19.74%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

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

SCHK vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	11.59%	17.23%	24.48%	26.63%	-19.51%	26.17%	20.75%	31.31%	-5.09%	5.07%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	20.80%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	2.98%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHK and SCHA is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2017	0.86

The correlation between SCHK and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHK vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHK	SCHA
Technology	35.1%	23.3%
Financial Services	12.0%	15.7%
Communication Services	10.3%	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.0%
Industrials	9.2%	15.4%
Healthcare	8.6%	13.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	2.6%
Energy	3.6%	5.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.2%	6.0%
Basic Materials	2.0%	4.2%

Return for Risk

SCHK vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHK

SCHK Risk / Return Rank: 72
SCHK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHK Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SCHK Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCHK Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SCHK Martin Ratio Rank: 77

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SCHK vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) 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.

	SCHK	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.35	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	3.27	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	4.43	-1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.67	16.30	-1.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHK vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHK Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHK 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

	SCHK	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.35	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.33	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.58	+0.20

Drawdowns

SCHK vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHK drawdown since its inception was -34.80%, smaller than the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHK and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHK	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.80%	-42.41%	+7.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-9.50%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.21%	-27.29%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.44%	-30.79%	+5.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	0.00%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-7.58%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	2.58%	-0.64%

Volatility

SCHK vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) is 2.94%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 4.81%. This indicates that SCHK 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

	SCHK	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	4.81%	-1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	12.84%	-3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	17.96%	-5.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.23%	21.94%	-4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	22.71%	-3.60%

SCHK vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHK 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

SCHK vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SCHK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than SCHA's 0.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	0.99%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.20%	1.38%	1.57%	1.17%	1.58%	1.82%	1.80%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHK and SCHA in my portfolio?

SCHK and SCHA have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHK or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to SCHK (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHK dropped -34.80% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, SCHK or SCHA?

On 5-year performance, SCHK leads with 13.25% vs 7.31% for SCHA. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHK has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHK or SCHA?

Over the 5-year period, SCHK has performed better with a 13.25% return vs 7.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHK or SCHA?

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

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

SCHK and SCHA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.00%.

What is the main difference between SCHK and SCHA?

SCHK is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SCHA is Small Cap Blend Equities. SCHK tracks Schwab 1000 Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SCHK and 0.04% for SCHA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 2.34), 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.