SCHR vs. VOT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHR (Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) and VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHR is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHR returned 1.15%/yr vs 11.95%/yr for VOT. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

SCHR vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHR achieves a -0.76% return, which is significantly lower than VOT's 5.49% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHR has underperformed VOT with an annualized return of 1.15%, while VOT has yielded a comparatively higher 11.95% annualized return.

SCHR

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: -0.76%
• 6M: -0.40%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 3.39%
• 5Y*: -0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.15%

VOT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

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

SCHR vs. VOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-0.76%	7.33%	1.42%	4.27%	-10.58%	-2.62%	7.72%	6.18%	1.46%	1.59%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	5.49%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHR and VOT 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	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2010	-0.16

The correlation between SCHR and VOT shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHR vs. VOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHR	VOT
Technology	1.2%	28.9%
Financial Services	0.4%	6.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	13.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.8%
Energy	-	2.7%
Healthcare	-	9.3%
Industrials	-	23.7%
Real Estate	-	4.8%
Utilities	-	3.5%

Return for Risk

SCHR vs. VOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHR

SCHR Risk / Return Rank: 31
SCHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SCHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SCHR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SCHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SCHR Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

SCHR vs. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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.

	SCHR	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	0.48	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	0.77	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.09	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	0.49	+0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.75	1.46	+2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHR vs. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHR Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is higher than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHR and VOT, 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

	SCHR	VOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	0.48	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.29	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.57	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.44	-0.01

Drawdowns

SCHR vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHR drawdown since its inception was -16.11%, smaller than the maximum VOT drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHR and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHR	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.11%	-60.16%	+44.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.79%	-15.96%	+13.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.35%	-21.77%	+17.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.07%	-37.19%	+22.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.11%	-37.19%	+21.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.69%	-3.48%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-9.96%	+6.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	5.33%	-4.37%

Volatility

SCHR vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR) is 1.04%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) has a volatility of 5.45%. This indicates that SCHR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHR	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.04%	5.45%	-4.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.36%	12.85%	-10.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.36%	16.20%	-12.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.38%	21.41%	-16.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.47%	21.02%	-16.55%

SCHR vs. VOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SCHR and VOT have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHR vs. VOT - Dividend Comparison

SCHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, more than VOT's 0.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.93%	3.85%	3.77%	3.16%	2.02%	1.00%	1.62%	2.31%	2.11%	1.65%	1.45%	1.56%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.63%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHR and VOT in my portfolio?

SCHR and VOT 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, SCHR or VOT?

VOT has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to SCHR (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHR dropped -16.11% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which ETF is better, SCHR or VOT?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 11.95% vs 1.15% for SCHR. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHR has been the lower-risk option at 1.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHR or VOT?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 1.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHR or VOT?

SCHR and VOT have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHR or VOT?

SCHR has the higher dividend yield at 3.93%, compared with 0.63% for VOT.

What is the main difference between SCHR and VOT?

SCHR is categorized as Government Bonds, while VOT is Mid Cap Growth Equities. SCHR tracks Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.48), 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.