SCHX vs. CALF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while CALF is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHX returned 12.76%/yr vs 3.80%/yr for CALF. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

SCHX vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHX achieves a 8.86% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 14.10% return.

SCHX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 8.86%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 25.11%
• 3Y*: 20.84%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

CALF

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 7.83%
• YTD: 14.10%
• 6M: 11.90%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: 9.56%
• 5Y*: 3.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHX vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	8.86%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	11.07%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	14.10%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-10.06%	5.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHX and CALF is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2017	0.70

The correlation between SCHX and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHX vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHX	CALF
Technology	38.3%	29.7%
Communication Services	10.1%	8.8%
Financial Services	9.9%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	28.3%
Industrials	8.4%	5.9%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.3%
Energy	3.2%	10.3%
Utilities	2.5%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.6%

Return for Risk

SCHX vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 66
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 73
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 62
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

SCHX vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF). 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.

	SCHX	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.84	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.69	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.33	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	4.77	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.65	13.43	-1.78

SCHX vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHX and CALF, 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

SCHX vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHX drawdown since its inception was -34.33%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHX and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHX	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.33%	-47.58%	+13.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-6.15%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.04%	-34.22%	+15.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.41%	-34.22%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.37%	-1.29%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.96%	-10.71%	+6.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	2.18%	-0.14%

Volatility

SCHX vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is 4.47%, while Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) has a volatility of 4.93%. This indicates that SCHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CALF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHX	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	4.93%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.71%	10.67%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.47%	15.90%	-3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.19%	23.43%	-6.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	25.99%	-7.82%

SCHX vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHX vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

SCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than CALF's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.20%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.02%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHX and CALF in my portfolio?

SCHX and CALF have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHX or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to SCHX (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHX dropped -34.33% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, SCHX or CALF?

On 5-year performance, SCHX leads with 12.76% vs 3.80% for CALF. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHX has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHX or CALF?

Over the 5-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 3.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHX or CALF?

SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHX or CALF?

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 1.02% for SCHX.

What is the main difference between SCHX and CALF?

SCHX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Blend Equities. SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while CALF tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SCHX and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.84), 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.