SCHX vs. CAT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, SCHX returned 15.20%/yr vs 31.20%/yr for CAT. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

SCHX vs. CAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHX achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than CAT's 60.51% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHX has underperformed CAT with an annualized return of 15.20%, while CAT has yielded a comparatively higher 31.20% annualized return.

SCHX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 24.19%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 15.20%

CAT

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 60.51%
• 6M: 54.15%
• 1Y: 161.94%
• 3Y*: 59.74%
• 5Y*: 33.67%
• 10Y*: 31.20%

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

SCHX vs. CAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	8.56%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	60.51%	60.30%	24.66%	25.95%	18.60%	15.95%	26.97%	19.51%	-17.56%	75.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHX and CAT is 0.57, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009	0.65

The correlation between SCHX and CAT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHX vs. CAT — 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: 66
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

CAT

CAT Risk / Return Rank: 98
CAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
CAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. CAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). 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.

	SCHX	CAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	4.76	-2.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	5.44	-2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.69	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	11.74	-9.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.15	38.95	-26.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHX vs. CAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the CAT Sharpe Ratio of 4.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHX and CAT, 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

	SCHX	CAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	4.76	-2.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	1.10	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	1.01	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.35	+0.49

Drawdowns

SCHX vs. CAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHX drawdown since its inception was -34.33%, smaller than the maximum CAT drawdown of -73.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHX and CAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHX	CAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.33%	-73.43%	+39.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-13.88%	+4.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.04%	-34.05%	+15.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.41%	-34.05%	+8.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	-43.36%	+9.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-2.64%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-19.74%	+15.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	4.18%	-2.18%

Volatility

SCHX vs. CAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is 3.84%, while Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a volatility of 10.77%. This indicates that SCHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHX	CAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	10.77%	-6.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.44%	27.35%	-17.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	34.31%	-22.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	30.67%	-13.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	30.89%	-12.72%

Dividends

SCHX vs. CAT - Dividend Comparison

SCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than CAT's 0.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	0.66%	1.02%	1.49%	1.69%	1.93%	2.07%	2.26%	2.56%	2.58%	1.97%	3.32%	4.33%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.03%	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 CAT in my portfolio?

SCHX and CAT have a correlation of 0.57, 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 CAT?

CAT has higher volatility (10.77%) compared to SCHX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHX dropped -34.33% vs CAT's -73.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.76 vs 1.98), 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.