SCHLX vs. SHSSX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

SCHLX (DWS Health and Wellness Fund) and SHSSX (Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SCHLX returned 7.47%/yr vs 9.68%/yr for SHSSX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.84% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Health and Wellness Fund (SCHLX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHLX achieves a -4.95% return, which is significantly lower than SHSSX's -1.96% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHLX has underperformed SHSSX with an annualized return of 7.47%, while SHSSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.68% annualized return.

SCHLX

• 1D: 3.12%
• 1M: 3.30%
• YTD: -4.95%
• 6M: -4.34%
• 1Y: 10.41%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 4.27%
• 10Y*: 7.47%

SHSSX

• 1D: 2.85%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: -1.96%
• 6M: -1.61%
• 1Y: 16.86%
• 3Y*: 7.14%
• 5Y*: 4.66%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

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

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHLX DWS Health and Wellness Fund	-4.95%	12.67%	3.62%	5.56%	-7.22%	15.43%	15.40%	22.40%	3.50%	19.37%
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	-1.96%	16.13%	4.00%	3.86%	-5.72%	12.17%	19.54%	25.63%	8.24%	25.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHLX and SHSSX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.96

The correlation between SCHLX and SHSSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHLX vs. SHSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHLX

SCHLX Risk / Return Rank: 9
SCHLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
SCHLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
SCHLX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
SCHLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
SCHLX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

SHSSX

SHSSX Risk / Return Rank: 20
SHSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
SHSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
SHSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SHSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
SHSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Health and Wellness Fund (SCHLX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX). 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.

	SCHLX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	1.21	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	1.86	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.21	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	1.73	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.91	4.30	-2.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHLX Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is lower than the SHSSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHLX and SHSSX, 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

	SCHLX	SHSSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70	1.21	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.32	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.59	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.69	-0.19

Drawdowns

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHLX drawdown since its inception was -45.46%, which is greater than SHSSX's maximum drawdown of -35.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHLX and SHSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHLX	SHSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.46%	-35.40%	-10.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.08%	-9.83%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.73%	-15.95%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.62%	-17.90%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.47%	-28.34%	+0.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.21%	-4.79%	-3.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-5.98%	-3.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.48%	3.95%	+1.53%

Volatility

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Health and Wellness Fund (SCHLX) and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional (SHSSX) have volatilities of 5.14% and 5.04%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHLX	SHSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	5.04%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	10.70%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.94%	14.06%	+0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.84%	14.43%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.70%	16.56%	+0.14%

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHLX and SHSSX have an expense ratio of 0.84%.

Dividends

SCHLX vs. SHSSX - Dividend Comparison

SCHLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.48%, less than SHSSX's 10.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHLX DWS Health and Wellness Fund	5.48%	5.21%	1.19%	5.29%	1.77%	9.02%	9.13%	9.88%	11.48%	6.52%	2.84%	16.39%
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Fund Class Institutional	10.10%	9.90%	8.68%	3.82%	7.20%	8.96%	4.18%	3.87%	8.44%	3.59%	2.33%	12.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHLX and SHSSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SCHLX and SHSSX 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, SCHLX or SHSSX?

SCHLX has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to SHSSX (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHLX dropped -45.46% vs SHSSX's -35.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHSSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.70), 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.