SCHQ vs. VTG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) and VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - SCHQ tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index while VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SCHQ returned -1.33% vs 1.22% for VTG. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHQ vs. VTG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHQ achieves a -2.90% return, which is significantly lower than VTG's -0.62% 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%

VTG

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.95%
• 6M: -0.49%
• YTD: -0.62%
• 1Y: 1.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.28%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	$13.53M	$14.79M	$18.63M
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	$3.06M	$3.29M	$2.98M

SCHQ vs. VTG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-2.90%	4.13%
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	-0.62%	3.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHQ and VTG is 0.93, 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.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.94

The correlation between SCHQ and VTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHQ vs. VTG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SCHQ

SCHQ Risk / Return Rank: 8
SCHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
SCHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
SCHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SCHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
SCHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VTG

VTG Risk / Return Rank: 18
VTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VTG Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTG Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SCHQ vs. VTG - 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 Total Treasury ETF (VTG). 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	VTG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	0.36	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.16	0.54	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.06	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	0.42	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	1.00	-1.41

SCHQ vs. VTG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHQ Sharpe Ratio is -0.16, which is lower than the VTG Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHQ and VTG, 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

SCHQ vs. VTG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHQ drawdown since its inception was -46.13%, which is greater than VTG's maximum drawdown of -2.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHQ and VTG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHQ	VTG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.13%	-2.89%	-43.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-2.89%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.39%	-2.40%	-35.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.61%	-0.90%	-25.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	1.23%	+2.00%

Volatility

SCHQ vs. VTG - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) has a higher volatility of 2.30% compared to Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) at 0.89%. This indicates that SCHQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHQ	VTG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.30%	0.89%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	2.69%	+3.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.41%	3.38%	+5.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.41%	3.51%	+10.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.20%	3.51%	+11.69%

SCHQ vs. VTG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHQ and VTG 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. VTG - Dividend Comparison

SCHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, more than VTG's 3.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	4.92%	4.54%	4.58%	3.79%	2.88%	1.69%	1.51%	0.44%
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	3.63%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHQ and VTG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SCHQ and VTG 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.

Which is riskier, SCHQ or VTG?

SCHQ has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to VTG (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHQ dropped -46.13% vs VTG's -2.89%.

Which ETF is better, SCHQ or VTG?

On 1-year performance, VTG leads with 1.22% vs -1.33% for SCHQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VTG has been the lower-risk option at 0.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHQ or VTG?

Over the 1-year period, VTG has performed better with a 1.22% return vs -1.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHQ or VTG?

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

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

SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.92%, compared with 3.63% for VTG.

What is the main difference between SCHQ and VTG?

SCHQ tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.36 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.