SCHM vs. IJK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - SCHM tracks the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap while IJK tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHM returned 11.31%/yr vs 11.54%/yr for IJK. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SCHM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for IJK.

Performance

SCHM vs. IJK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SCHM having a 19.25% return and IJK slightly higher at 19.41%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHM having a 11.31% annualized return and IJK not far ahead at 11.54%.

SCHM

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 19.25%
• 6M: 18.98%
• 1Y: 32.97%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: 11.31%

IJK

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 19.41%
• 6M: 18.76%
• 1Y: 30.22%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

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

SCHM vs. IJK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	19.25%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	19.41%	7.28%	15.68%	17.41%	-19.03%	18.68%	22.45%	25.96%	-10.53%	19.64%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and IJK is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2011	0.97

The correlation between SCHM and IJK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHM vs. IJK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHM	IJK
Technology	22.0%	21.8%
Industrials	21.4%	31.1%
Financial Services	11.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	10.8%	13.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	7.9%
Real Estate	6.5%	5.5%
Basic Materials	4.7%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	2.1%
Energy	3.6%	3.7%
Utilities	3.0%	2.0%
Communication Services	2.6%	1.5%

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. IJK — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 68
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

IJK

IJK Risk / Return Rank: 58
IJK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
IJK Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IJK Omega Ratio Rank: 51
IJK Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IJK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SCHM vs. IJK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK). 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.

	SCHM	IJK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.79	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	2.55	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.31	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.55	3.06	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	12.09	+2.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHM vs. IJK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the IJK Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM and IJK, 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

	SCHM	IJK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.79	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.42	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.55	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.37	+0.22

Drawdowns

SCHM vs. IJK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, smaller than the maximum IJK drawdown of -54.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and IJK.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	IJK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-54.47%	+12.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-9.92%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-25.63%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-29.24%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	-39.25%	-3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-10.80%	+5.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	2.51%	-0.20%

Volatility

SCHM vs. IJK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) is 4.53%, while iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that SCHM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHM	IJK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.98%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.73%	13.15%	-1.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	17.00%	-1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.56%	20.69%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	21.06%	-0.60%

SCHM vs. IJK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than IJK's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHM vs. IJK - Dividend Comparison

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than IJK's 0.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IJK iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF	0.54%	0.66%	0.79%	1.13%	1.08%	0.50%	0.70%	1.09%	1.13%	0.93%	1.15%	1.12%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.22%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHM and IJK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SCHM and IJK 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, SCHM or IJK?

IJK has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to SCHM (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs IJK's -54.47%.

Which ETF is better, SCHM or IJK?

On 10-year performance, IJK leads with 11.54% vs 11.31% for SCHM. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHM has been the lower-risk option at 4.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHM or IJK?

Over the 10-year period, IJK has performed better with a 11.54% return vs 11.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHM or IJK?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for IJK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHM or IJK?

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.54% for IJK.

What is the main difference between SCHM and IJK?

SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while IJK tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHM and 0.17% for IJK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.79), 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.