SCUS vs. SCHO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SCUS (Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF) and SCHO (Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Charles Schwab, while SCHO is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. SCUS is actively managed, while SCHO is passively managed. Over the past year, SCUS returned 3.94% vs 3.09% for SCHO. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCUS charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHO.

Performance

SCUS vs. SCHO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCUS achieves a 1.49% return, which is significantly higher than SCHO's 0.42% return.

SCUS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 3.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHO

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.54%
• 1Y: 3.09%
• 3Y*: 4.20%
• 5Y*: 1.84%
• 10Y*: 1.68%

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

SCUS vs. SCHO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.49%	4.51%	2.00%
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	0.42%	5.49%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SCUS and SCHO is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2024	0.24

Return for Risk

SCUS vs. SCHO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCUS

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

SCHO

SCHO Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCHO Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SCHO Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SCHO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SCHO Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SCUS vs. SCHO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). 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.

	SCUS	SCHO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.84	2.22	+3.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	11.18	3.52	+7.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.56	1.44	+1.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	23.76	3.61	+20.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	102.91	15.06	+87.86

SCUS vs. SCHO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCUS Sharpe Ratio is 5.84, which is higher than the SCHO Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCUS and SCHO, 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

SCUS vs. SCHO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCUS drawdown since its inception was -0.17%, smaller than the maximum SCHO drawdown of -5.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCUS and SCHO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCUS	SCHO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.17%	-5.69%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.17%	-0.86%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.98%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.69%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.27%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.02%	-0.61%	+0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	0.21%	-0.17%

Volatility

SCUS vs. SCHO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) is 0.22%, while Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO) has a volatility of 0.49%. This indicates that SCUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCUS	SCHO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.22%	0.49%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.50%	0.98%	-0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68%	1.40%	-0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.71%	1.99%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.71%	1.56%	-0.85%

SCUS vs. SCHO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCUS has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCUS vs. SCHO - Dividend Comparison

SCUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, which matches SCHO's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.91%	4.06%	4.29%	3.76%	1.34%	0.41%	1.27%	2.27%	1.60%	1.12%	0.82%	0.68%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	3.91%	4.17%	1.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCUS and SCHO in my portfolio?

SCUS and SCHO have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCUS or SCHO?

SCHO has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to SCUS (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCUS dropped -0.17% vs SCHO's -5.69%.

Which ETF is better, SCUS or SCHO?

On 1-year performance, SCUS leads with 3.94% vs 3.09% for SCHO. On fees, SCHO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCUS or SCHO?

Over the 1-year period, SCUS has performed better with a 3.94% return vs 3.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCUS or SCHO?

SCHO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.14% for SCUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCUS or SCHO?

SCUS and SCHO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 3.91%.

What is the main difference between SCUS and SCHO?

SCUS is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while SCHO is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for SCUS and 0.03% for SCHO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.84 vs 2.22), 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.