SCHQ vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHQ is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHQ returned -5.35%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for ITOT. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHQ achieves a -0.75% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 8.76% return.

SCHQ

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -0.87%
• YTD: -0.75%
• 6M: -1.11%
• 1Y: 4.57%
• 3Y*: -0.91%
• 5Y*: -5.35%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.31%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 21.07%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: 14.67%

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

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-0.75%	5.50%	-6.44%	3.43%	-29.44%	-4.86%	17.73%	-4.02%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	8.76%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	10.52%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHQ and ITOT is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	-0.02

The correlation between SCHQ and ITOT shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHQ	ITOT
Technology	4.9%	33.8%
Communication Services	3.3%	10.3%
Financial Services	1.0%	12.1%
Basic Materials	-	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	3.7%
Healthcare	-	9.0%
Industrials	-	9.5%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

SCHQ vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHQ

SCHQ Risk / Return Rank: 15
SCHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SCHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
SCHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SCHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SCHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 15

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 64
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	SCHQ	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	2.08	-1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	2.80	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.37	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	2.92	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.23	13.34	-12.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHQ and ITOT, 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

	SCHQ	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38	2.08	-1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.37	0.70	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.25	0.57	-0.82

Drawdowns

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHQ drawdown since its inception was -46.13%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHQ and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHQ	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.13%	-55.20%	+9.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.01%	-8.90%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.65%	-19.44%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.93%	-25.36%	-15.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.02%	-2.95%	-34.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.37%	-6.97%	-19.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	1.94%	+0.78%

Volatility

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) is 2.49%, while iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that SCHQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHQ	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	3.93%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.97%	9.56%	-3.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	12.51%	-3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.52%	17.39%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.33%	18.28%	-2.95%

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHQ and ITOT have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHQ vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

SCHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, more than ITOT's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	4.81%	4.54%	4.58%	3.79%	2.88%	1.69%	1.51%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHQ and ITOT in my portfolio?

SCHQ and ITOT have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHQ or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to SCHQ (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHQ dropped -46.13% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, SCHQ or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.18% vs -5.35% for SCHQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHQ or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.18% return vs -5.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHQ or ITOT?

SCHQ and ITOT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHQ or ITOT?

SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.81%, compared with 1.00% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between SCHQ and ITOT?

SCHQ is categorized as Government Bonds, while ITOT is Large Cap Blend Equities. SCHQ tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.38), 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.