SCHM vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples 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 XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHM returned 11.48%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for XLP. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

SCHM vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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 XLP's 10.39% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHM has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 11.48%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.58% 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%

XLP

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 7.55%
• 3Y*: 8.18%
• 5Y*: 6.52%
• 10Y*: 7.58%

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

SCHM vs. XLP - 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%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.39%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and XLP is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between SCHM and XLP has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SCHM vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHM	XLP
Technology	22.5%	-
Industrials	21.6%	-
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Financial Services	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	1.0%
Real Estate	6.5%	-
Basic Materials	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	99.0%
Energy	3.6%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. XLP — 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

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 20
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	0.59	+1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	0.93	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.11	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	0.78	+2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.51	1.51	+12.00

SCHM vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM and XLP, 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. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-35.90%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-9.69%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-12.39%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-16.30%	-10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	-24.51%	-17.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-4.73%	+4.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-7.06%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	5.00%	-2.67%

Volatility

SCHM vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.50%. This indicates that SCHM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHM	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	4.50%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.45%	10.13%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.14%	12.89%	+3.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.65%	13.34%	+6.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.50%	14.75%	+5.75%

SCHM vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than XLP's 0.08% 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. XLP - Dividend Comparison

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than XLP's 2.55% 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%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.55%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHM and XLP in my portfolio?

SCHM and XLP have a correlation of 0.16, 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 XLP?

SCHM has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to XLP (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, SCHM or XLP?

On 10-year performance, SCHM leads with 11.48% vs 7.58% for XLP. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHM or XLP?

Over the 10-year period, SCHM has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHM or XLP?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for XLP.

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

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 1.22% for SCHM.

What is the main difference between SCHM and XLP?

SCHM is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHM and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.59), 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.