SWBGX vs. SWCGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWBGX (Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™) and SWCGX (Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Charles Schwab. Over the past 10 years, SWBGX returned 8.20%/yr vs 5.82%/yr for SWCGX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWBGX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for SWCGX.

Performance

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™ (SWBGX) and Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™ (SWCGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWBGX achieves a 7.84% return, which is significantly higher than SWCGX's 5.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SWBGX has outperformed SWCGX with an annualized return of 8.20%, while SWCGX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.82% annualized return.

SWBGX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 7.84%
• 6M: 8.06%
• 1Y: 19.03%
• 3Y*: 13.50%
• 5Y*: 6.81%
• 10Y*: 8.20%

SWCGX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 5.33%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 14.18%
• 3Y*: 10.12%
• 5Y*: 4.50%
• 10Y*: 5.82%

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

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWBGX Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™	7.84%	14.73%	9.10%	14.99%	-14.35%	12.85%	10.50%	18.56%	-5.43%	12.70%
SWCGX Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™	5.33%	11.95%	6.32%	11.61%	-13.76%	7.66%	9.41%	14.91%	-3.70%	9.06%

Correlation

The correlation between SWBGX and SWCGX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1996	0.97

The correlation between SWBGX and SWCGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWBGX vs. SWCGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWBGX

SWBGX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWBGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SWBGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SWBGX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SWBGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SWBGX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SWCGX

SWCGX Risk / Return Rank: 71
SWCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SWCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SWCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SWCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SWCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™ (SWBGX) and Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™ (SWCGX). 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.

	SWBGX	SWCGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.48	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	3.61	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	3.13	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	13.61	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWBGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the SWCGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWBGX and SWCGX, 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

	SWBGX	SWCGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.48	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.51	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.72	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.74	-0.14

Drawdowns

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWBGX drawdown since its inception was -40.37%, which is greater than SWCGX's maximum drawdown of -30.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWBGX and SWCGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWBGX	SWCGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.37%	-30.18%	-10.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.89%	-4.58%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.69%	-7.34%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.97%	-21.83%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.97%	-21.83%	-2.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.41%	-3.34%	-2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	1.05%	+0.30%

Volatility

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™ (SWBGX) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™ (SWCGX) at 1.92%. This indicates that SWBGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWCGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWBGX	SWCGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	1.92%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.05%	4.59%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.70%	5.77%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.02%	8.92%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.97%	8.12%	+2.85%

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWBGX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SWCGX's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWBGX vs. SWCGX - Dividend Comparison

SWBGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.13%, more than SWCGX's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWBGX Schwab MarketTrack Balanced Portfolio™	7.13%	7.69%	10.74%	4.23%	4.13%	5.02%	6.41%	4.42%	7.11%	5.30%	3.18%	14.29%
SWCGX Schwab MarketTrack Conservative Portfolio™	6.37%	6.66%	10.09%	6.62%	4.07%	4.86%	3.28%	3.32%	4.85%	3.14%	2.49%	7.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWBGX and SWCGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SWBGX and SWCGX 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.

Which is riskier, SWBGX or SWCGX?

SWBGX has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to SWCGX (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWBGX dropped -40.37% vs SWCGX's -30.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWBGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.48), 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.