SCHM vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, 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 10 years, SCHM returned 11.48%/yr vs 11.43%/yr for SCHA. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHM vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) 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, SCHM achieves a 18.48% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 21.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHM having a 11.48% annualized return and SCHA not far behind at 11.43%.

SCHM

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: 5.18%
• YTD: 18.48%
• 6M: 18.68%
• 1Y: 32.40%
• 3Y*: 16.59%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

SCHA

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 6.46%
• YTD: 21.05%
• 6M: 20.63%
• 1Y: 42.15%
• 3Y*: 18.20%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: 11.43%

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

SCHM vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	18.48%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	21.05%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and SCHA is 0.96 - 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	0.96
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 13, 2011	0.97

The correlation between SCHM and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHM vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHM	SCHA
Technology	22.1%	22.7%
Industrials	21.7%	15.7%
Financial Services	10.9%	15.7%
Healthcare	10.9%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	9.2%
Real Estate	6.4%	6.1%
Basic Materials	4.7%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.6%
Energy	3.4%	5.4%
Utilities	2.9%	2.3%
Communication Services	2.6%	2.4%

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 69
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 79
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SCHM	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.28	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	3.16	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	4.46	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.97	16.33	-2.36

SCHM vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM 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.

Drawdowns

SCHM vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-42.41%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-9.50%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-27.29%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-30.79%	+4.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	-42.41%	-0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.15%	-2.16%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-7.57%	+1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	2.59%	-0.26%

Volatility

SCHM vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) is 5.62%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 6.55%. This indicates that SCHM 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

	SCHM	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	6.55%	-0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	13.68%	-1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	18.59%	-2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.66%	22.05%	-2.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.51%	22.77%	-2.26%

SCHM vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHM and SCHA have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHM vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, 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%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.23%	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 SCHA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SCHM and SCHA 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 SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to SCHM (5.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, SCHM or SCHA?

On 10-year performance, SCHM leads with 11.48% vs 11.43% for SCHA. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHM has been the lower-risk option at 5.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHM or SCHA?

Over the 10-year period, SCHM has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 11.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHM or SCHA?

SCHM and SCHA have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.

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

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.99% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHM and SCHA?

SCHM is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SCHA is Small Cap Blend Equities. SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.02), 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.