SCHQ vs. VGLT
SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, from Charles Schwab and Vanguard respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHQ returned -5.56%/yr vs -5.58%/yr for VGLT. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
SCHQ vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHQ achieves a 0.37% return, which is significantly higher than VGLT's 0.34% return.
SCHQ
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- 1.95%
- YTD
- 0.37%
- 6M
- 0.37%
- 1Y
- 4.37%
- 3Y*
- -0.77%
- 5Y*
- -5.56%
- 10Y*
- —
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- 1.89%
- YTD
- 0.34%
- 6M
- 0.36%
- 1Y
- 4.33%
- 3Y*
- -0.80%
- 5Y*
- -5.58%
- 10Y*
- -1.21%
SCHQ vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 0.37% | 5.50% | -6.44% | 3.43% | -29.44% | -4.86% | 17.73% | -4.20% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.34% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | -5.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHQ and VGLT is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2019 | 1.00 |
The correlation between SCHQ and VGLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCHQ vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
SCHQ
VGLT
SCHQ vs. VGLT - 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 Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). 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 | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.09 | 1.09 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.63 | 0.62 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.55 | 1.54 | +0.01 |
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Drawdowns
SCHQ vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHQ drawdown since its inception was -46.13%, roughly equal to the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHQ and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHQ | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.13% | -46.18% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -7.01% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.65% | -17.68% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.93% | -40.98% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -46.18% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.31% | -36.35% | +0.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -26.42% | -15.12% | -11.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.83% | 2.81% | +0.02% |
Volatility
SCHQ vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) have volatilities of 2.09% and 2.09%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHQ | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.09% | 2.09% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.08% | 6.08% | 0.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.66% | 8.62% | +0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.49% | 14.53% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.29% | 13.82% | +1.47% |
SCHQ vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SCHQ and VGLT 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. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
SCHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than VGLT's 4.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 4.75% | 4.54% | 4.58% | 3.79% | 2.88% | 1.69% | 1.51% | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.57% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, SCHQ and VGLT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to SCHQ (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHQ dropped -46.13% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
On 5-year performance, SCHQ leads with -5.56% vs -5.58% for VGLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SCHQ has performed better with a -5.56% return vs -5.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHQ and VGLT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.75%, compared with 4.57% for VGLT.
Both ETFs track Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard.
SCHQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs 0.51), 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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