SCHX vs. RAFE
SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - SCHX tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHX returned 12.57%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.
Performance
SCHX vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHX achieves a 10.71% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.05% return.
SCHX
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.71%
- 6M
- 8.69%
- YTD
- 10.71%
- 1Y
- 21.07%
- 3Y*
- 20.16%
- 5Y*
- 12.57%
- 10Y*
- 15.06%
RAFE
- 1D
- -0.56%
- 1M
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 13.19%
- YTD
- 15.05%
- 1Y
- 27.32%
- 3Y*
- 18.54%
- 5Y*
- 11.38%
- 10Y*
- —
SCHX vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF | 10.71% | 17.46% | 24.88% | 26.84% | -19.41% | 26.81% | 20.81% | 1.23% |
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 15.05% | 17.60% | 13.81% | 18.80% | -13.76% | 30.16% | 5.29% | 0.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHX and RAFE is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019 | 0.87 |
The correlation between SCHX and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCHX vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank
SCHX
RAFE
SCHX vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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 | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.75 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.43 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.35 | 3.68 | -1.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.05 | 14.34 | -4.29 |
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Drawdowns
SCHX vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHX drawdown since its inception was -34.33%, roughly equal to the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHX and RAFE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHX | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.33% | -35.74% | +1.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.02% | -7.46% | -1.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.04% | -16.36% | -2.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.41% | -24.28% | -1.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.33% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.71% | -0.62% | -0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.95% | -6.12% | +2.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.10% | 1.91% | +0.19% |
Volatility
SCHX vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) has a higher volatility of 3.70% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.40%. This indicates that SCHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHX | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.70% | 2.40% | +1.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.01% | 8.61% | +1.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.66% | 11.34% | +1.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.24% | 15.07% | +2.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.14% | 19.32% | -1.18% |
SCHX vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCHX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCHX vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison
SCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than RAFE's 1.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 1.50% | 1.67% | 1.79% | 1.81% | 2.22% | 1.42% | 2.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
SCHX and RAFE have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCHX has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to RAFE (2.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHX dropped -34.33% vs RAFE's -35.74%.
On 5-year performance, SCHX leads with 12.57% vs 11.38% for RAFE. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 12.57% return vs 11.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for RAFE.
RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.02% for SCHX.
SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SCHX and 0.30% for RAFE.
RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.67), 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.
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