SCHV vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHV (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index, while SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHV returned 11.38%/yr vs 10.25%/yr for SMLV. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

SCHV vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SCHV having a 14.24% return and SMLV slightly higher at 14.81%. Over the past 10 years, SCHV has outperformed SMLV with an annualized return of 11.38%, while SMLV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.25% annualized return.

SCHV

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 14.24%
• 6M: 15.31%
• 1Y: 26.78%
• 3Y*: 18.05%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

SMLV

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 14.81%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 23.44%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.02%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

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

SCHV vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF	14.24%	16.02%	14.13%	8.93%	-7.65%	25.58%	2.64%	25.92%	-7.30%	16.56%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	14.81%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-6.62%	5.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHV and SMLV is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2013	0.80

The correlation between SCHV and SMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHV vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHV	SMLV
Financial Services	19.6%	30.5%
Technology	18.2%	11.2%
Industrials	14.0%	14.3%
Healthcare	11.3%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	8.8%	4.3%
Energy	7.2%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	8.7%
Utilities	4.6%	2.9%
Real Estate	4.1%	12.2%
Basic Materials	2.8%	3.2%
Communication Services	2.5%	2.2%

Return for Risk

SCHV vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHV

SCHV Risk / Return Rank: 84
SCHV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SCHV Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SCHV Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SCHV Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SCHV Martin Ratio Rank: 84

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 54
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SCHV vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.

	SCHV	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	1.50	+1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	2.17	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.28	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	3.21	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.87	8.78	+7.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHV vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHV Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is higher than the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHV and SMLV, 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

	SCHV	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	1.50	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.44	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.49	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.55	+0.16

Drawdowns

SCHV vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHV drawdown since its inception was -37.08%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHV and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHV	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.08%	-42.45%	+5.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.83%	-7.34%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.26%	-20.40%	+5.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.78%	-20.40%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.08%	-42.45%	+5.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.49%	0.00%	-1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-5.45%	+1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	2.68%	-0.99%

Volatility

SCHV vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV) is 3.33%, while SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that SCHV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHV	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	4.09%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.37%	9.92%	-1.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.80%	15.73%	-4.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.53%	18.29%	-3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.95%	20.96%	-4.01%

SCHV vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHV vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

SCHV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, less than SMLV's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF	1.78%	2.02%	2.25%	2.42%	2.37%	1.93%	3.03%	3.02%	3.05%	2.37%	2.65%	2.69%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.31%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHV and SMLV in my portfolio?

SCHV and SMLV have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHV or SMLV?

SMLV has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to SCHV (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHV dropped -37.08% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, SCHV or SMLV?

On 10-year performance, SCHV leads with 11.38% vs 10.25% for SMLV. On fees, SCHV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHV has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHV or SMLV?

Over the 10-year period, SCHV has performed better with a 11.38% return vs 10.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHV or SMLV?

SCHV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for SMLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHV or SMLV?

SMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.78% for SCHV.

What is the main difference between SCHV and SMLV?

SCHV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SMLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. SCHV tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHV and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.50), 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.