SCHM vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR 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 XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHM returned 11.48%/yr vs 10.25%/yr for XLB. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

SCHM vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHM achieves a 18.78% return, which is significantly higher than XLB's 13.45% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHM has outperformed XLB with an annualized return of 11.48%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively lower 10.25% annualized return.

SCHM

• 1D: 2.98%
• 1M: 3.25%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 31.34%
• 3Y*: 17.28%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

XLB

• 1D: 3.27%
• 1M: -1.76%
• YTD: 13.45%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 18.64%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 5.62%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

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

SCHM vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	18.78%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	13.45%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and XLB is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.83

The correlation between SCHM and XLB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHM vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHM	XLB
Technology	22.5%	-
Industrials	21.6%	1.5%
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Financial Services	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	12.4%
Real Estate	6.5%	-
Basic Materials	4.9%	87.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	-
Energy	3.6%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 75
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 36
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.08	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	1.61	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.19	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	1.51	+1.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.51	4.63	+8.89

SCHM vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM and XLB, 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. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-59.83%	+17.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-12.38%	+3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-23.17%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-24.72%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	-37.27%	-5.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-4.05%	+3.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-10.83%	+5.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	4.04%	-1.71%

Volatility

SCHM vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) is 5.59%, while Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) has a volatility of 6.78%. This indicates that SCHM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHM	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	6.78%	-1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.45%	13.60%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	17.43%	-1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.65%	19.05%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.50%	20.69%	-0.19%

SCHM vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than XLB's 0.13% 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. XLB - Dividend Comparison

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than XLB's 1.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.71%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHM and XLB in my portfolio?

SCHM and XLB have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHM or XLB?

XLB has higher volatility (6.78%) compared to SCHM (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, SCHM or XLB?

On 10-year performance, SCHM leads with 11.48% vs 10.25% for XLB. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHM has been the lower-risk option at 5.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHM or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, SCHM has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 10.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHM or XLB?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLB.

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

XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 1.22% for SCHM.

What is the main difference between SCHM and XLB?

SCHM is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while XLB is Materials. SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHM and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.08), 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.