SCHQ vs. VGIT
SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - SCHQ tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index while VGIT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHQ returned -7.19%/yr vs -0.25%/yr for VGIT. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHQ achieves a -2.90% return, which is significantly lower than VGIT's -0.61% return.
SCHQ
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- -3.17%
- 6M
- -2.56%
- YTD
- -2.90%
- 1Y
- -1.33%
- 3Y*
- -0.04%
- 5Y*
- -7.19%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -4.12%
VGIT
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- 6M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- -0.61%
- 1Y
- 1.28%
- 3Y*
- 3.67%
- 5Y*
- -0.25%
- 10Y*
- 1.13%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.14%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $13.53M | $14.79M | $18.63M | |
| $130.25M | $142.29M | $175.18M |
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | -2.90% | 5.50% | -6.44% | 3.43% | -29.44% | -4.86% | 17.73% | -4.20% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.61% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -2.64% | 7.71% | -1.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHQ and VGIT is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.88 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2019 | 0.86 |
The correlation between SCHQ and VGIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCHQ vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank
SCHQ
VGIT
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.
| SCHQ | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 1.07 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.19 | 0.45 | -0.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.41 | 1.04 | -1.45 |
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Drawdowns
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHQ drawdown since its inception was -46.13%, which is greater than VGIT's maximum drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHQ and VGIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHQ | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.13% | -16.05% | -30.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.05% | -2.83% | -4.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.38% | -4.34% | -9.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.93% | -14.73% | -26.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -16.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.39% | -2.54% | -35.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -26.61% | -3.51% | -23.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.23% | 1.23% | +2.00% |
Volatility
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) has a higher volatility of 2.30% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) at 0.84%. This indicates that SCHQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHQ | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.30% | 0.84% | +1.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.30% | 2.60% | +3.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.41% | 3.20% | +5.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.41% | 5.39% | +9.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.20% | 4.49% | +10.71% |
SCHQ vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SCHQ and VGIT 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. VGIT - Dividend Comparison
SCHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, more than VGIT's 3.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 4.92% | 4.54% | 4.58% | 3.79% | 2.88% | 1.69% | 1.51% | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.90% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCHQ and VGIT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCHQ has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to VGIT (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHQ dropped -46.13% vs VGIT's -16.05%.
On 5-year performance, VGIT leads with -0.25% vs -7.19% for SCHQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 0.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VGIT has performed better with a -0.25% return vs -7.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHQ and VGIT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.92%, compared with 3.90% for VGIT.
SCHQ tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard.
VGIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.40 vs -0.16), 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.
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