SCHP vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHP (Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHP is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation-Linked Bond Index (Series-L), while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHP returned 2.53%/yr vs 11.47%/yr for VBK. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. SCHP charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

SCHP vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHP achieves a 0.96% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 14.03% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHP has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 2.53%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.47% annualized return.

SCHP

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.89%
• YTD: 0.96%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.80%
• 3Y*: 3.84%
• 5Y*: 1.02%
• 10Y*: 2.53%

VBK

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 11.47%

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

SCHP vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHP Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF	0.96%	6.76%	1.95%	3.91%	-12.02%	5.87%	10.86%	8.52%	-1.78%	3.02%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	14.03%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHP and VBK is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2010	-0.04

The correlation between SCHP and VBK shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHP vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHP	VBK
Consumer Cyclical	100.0%	9.6%
Financial Services	0.0%	5.6%
Basic Materials	-	3.2%
Communication Services	-	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.4%
Energy	-	4.8%
Healthcare	-	15.3%
Industrials	-	24.7%
Real Estate	-	3.9%
Technology	-	25.9%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

SCHP vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHP

SCHP Risk / Return Rank: 49
SCHP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SCHP Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
SCHP Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SCHP Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SCHP Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 48
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

SCHP vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

	SCHP	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.40	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	1.96	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.24	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.40	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.59	9.10	-1.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHP vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHP Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHP and VBK, 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

	SCHP	VBK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	1.40	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.20	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.50	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.42	+0.08

Drawdowns

SCHP vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHP drawdown since its inception was -14.26%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHP and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHP	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.26%	-58.68%	+44.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.93%	-11.44%	+9.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.48%	-27.54%	+23.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.26%	-38.39%	+24.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.26%	-38.70%	+24.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-3.91%	+3.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.93%	-10.15%	+6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	3.02%	-2.39%

Volatility

SCHP vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) is 1.00%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 6.43%. This indicates that SCHP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHP	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	6.43%	-5.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.24%	15.18%	-12.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.29%	19.65%	-16.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	23.54%	-17.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.59%	22.90%	-17.31%

SCHP vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHP has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VBK's 0.05% 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

SCHP vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

SCHP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.01%, more than VBK's 0.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHP Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF	4.01%	4.06%	2.99%	3.02%	7.19%	4.39%	1.11%	2.02%	2.26%	1.90%	1.38%	0.28%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.46%	0.54%	0.54%	0.68%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.82%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHP and VBK in my portfolio?

SCHP and VBK have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHP or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to SCHP (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHP dropped -14.26% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, SCHP or VBK?

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.47% vs 2.53% for SCHP. On fees, SCHP is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHP has been the lower-risk option at 1.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHP or VBK?

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.47% return vs 2.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHP or VBK?

SCHP is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VBK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHP or VBK?

SCHP has the higher dividend yield at 4.01%, compared with 0.46% for VBK.

What is the main difference between SCHP and VBK?

SCHP is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. SCHP tracks Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation-Linked Bond Index (Series-L), while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SCHP and 0.05% for VBK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.40), 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.