SCHZ vs. SPAB
SCHZ (Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) are both Total Bond Market funds - SCHZ tracks the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index while SPAB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHZ returned 1.48%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for SPAB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHZ achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than SPAB's 0.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHZ having a 1.48% annualized return and SPAB not far ahead at 1.50%.
SCHZ
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 0.38%
- 6M
- 0.47%
- 1Y
- 4.52%
- 3Y*
- 3.90%
- 5Y*
- 0.02%
- 10Y*
- 1.48%
SPAB
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 4.54%
- 3Y*
- 3.95%
- 5Y*
- 0.04%
- 10Y*
- 1.50%
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.38% | 7.24% | 1.26% | 5.60% | -13.17% | -1.72% | 7.46% | 8.65% | -0.26% | 3.50% |
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.41% | 7.25% | 1.25% | 5.56% | -13.04% | -1.77% | 7.39% | 8.67% | -0.18% | 3.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHZ and SPAB is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2011 | 0.91 |
The correlation between SCHZ and SPAB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCHZ vs. SPAB — Risk / Return Rank
SCHZ
SPAB
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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.
| SCHZ | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.22 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.68 | 1.66 | +0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.86 | 4.66 | +0.19 |
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Drawdowns
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHZ drawdown since its inception was -18.74%, roughly equal to the maximum SPAB drawdown of -18.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHZ and SPAB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHZ | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.74% | -18.56% | -0.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.70% | -2.74% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -6.08% | -0.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.01% | -17.96% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.74% | -18.56% | -0.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.38% | -2.15% | -0.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.68% | -3.08% | -0.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.93% | 0.97% | -0.04% |
Volatility
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Volatility Comparison
Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) at 1.09%. This indicates that SCHZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHZ | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.15% | 1.09% | +0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 2.69% | +0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.76% | 3.73% | +0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.09% | 5.93% | +0.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.42% | 5.55% | -0.13% |
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SCHZ and SPAB have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
SCHZ vs. SPAB - Dividend Comparison
SCHZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, more than SPAB's 4.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 4.12% | 4.05% | 3.96% | 3.28% | 2.63% | 2.16% | 2.43% | 2.79% | 2.56% | 2.40% | 2.24% | 2.11% |
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 4.05% | 3.97% | 3.86% | 3.34% | 2.59% | 2.11% | 2.43% | 2.92% | 2.96% | 2.67% | 2.63% | 2.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, SCHZ and SPAB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
SCHZ has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to SPAB (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHZ dropped -18.74% vs SPAB's -18.56%.
On 10-year performance, SPAB leads with 1.50% vs 1.48% for SCHZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPAB has performed better with a 1.50% return vs 1.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHZ and SPAB have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SCHZ has the higher dividend yield at 4.12%, compared with 4.05% for SPAB.
SCHZ tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, while SPAB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and State Street.
SPAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 1.21), 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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