SCHM vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHM returned 7.82%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for XLC. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

SCHM vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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 XLC's -4.45% 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%

XLC

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -3.23%
• YTD: -4.45%
• 6M: -3.40%
• 1Y: 8.64%
• 3Y*: 21.90%
• 5Y*: 8.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHM vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	18.78%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-14.16%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.45%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and XLC is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between SCHM and XLC has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SCHM vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHM	XLC
Technology	22.5%	4.7%
Industrials	21.6%	-
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Financial Services	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	-
Real Estate	6.5%	-
Basic Materials	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	-
Energy	3.6%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	95.1%

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. XLC — 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

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 23
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	0.65	+1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	1.03	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.12	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	0.82	+2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.51	2.62	+10.89

SCHM vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM and XLC, 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. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, smaller than the maximum XLC drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-46.65%	+4.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-10.57%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-17.97%	-5.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-46.65%	+20.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-6.33%	+5.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-10.58%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	3.30%	-0.97%

Volatility

SCHM vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.70%. This indicates that SCHM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHM	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	3.70%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.45%	9.66%	+2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	13.28%	+2.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.65%	20.69%	-1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.50%	22.18%	-1.68%

SCHM vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than XLC's 1.25% 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%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHM and XLC in my portfolio?

SCHM and XLC have a correlation of 0.47, 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 XLC?

SCHM has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to XLC (3.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, SCHM or XLC?

On 5-year performance, XLC leads with 8.12% vs 7.82% for SCHM. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHM or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, XLC has performed better with a 8.12% return vs 7.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHM or XLC?

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

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

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.22% for SCHM.

What is the main difference between SCHM and XLC?

SCHM is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while XLC is Communications Equities. SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services 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 XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.65), 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.