SWHFX vs. VHT
SWHFX (Schwab Health Care Fund™) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SWHFX returned 7.70%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for VHT. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SWHFX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VHT.
Performance
SWHFX vs. VHT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SWHFX achieves a 5.02% return, which is significantly lower than VHT's 6.65% return. Over the past 10 years, SWHFX has underperformed VHT with an annualized return of 7.70%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively higher 9.89% annualized return.
SWHFX
- 1D
- -1.36%
- 1M
- -0.33%
- 6M
- 3.12%
- YTD
- 5.02%
- 1Y
- 17.24%
- 3Y*
- 5.89%
- 5Y*
- 3.29%
- 10Y*
- 7.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.71%
VHT
- 1D
- -0.76%
- 1M
- -1.17%
- 6M
- 6.86%
- YTD
- 6.65%
- 1Y
- 27.92%
- 3Y*
- 9.09%
- 5Y*
- 5.06%
- 10Y*
- 9.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.92%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $66.49M | $76.90M | $73.37M |
SWHFX vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWHFX Schwab Health Care Fund™ | 5.02% | 9.81% | 0.10% | 0.73% | -4.66% | 23.36% | 12.83% | 17.64% | 3.68% | 20.31% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 6.65% | 15.46% | 2.66% | 2.52% | -5.60% | 20.57% | 18.29% | 21.87% | 5.58% | 23.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between SWHFX and VHT is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.94 |
The correlation between SWHFX and VHT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SWHFX vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank
SWHFX
VHT
SWHFX vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Health Care Fund™ (SWHFX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.
| SWHFX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.33 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.09 | 2.74 | -1.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.32 | 6.79 | -4.48 |
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Drawdowns
SWHFX vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SWHFX drawdown since its inception was -43.10%, which is greater than VHT's maximum drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWHFX and VHT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SWHFX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.10% | -39.12% | -3.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.74% | -10.40% | -3.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.35% | -16.91% | -2.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.35% | -17.71% | -1.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.28% | -28.85% | +1.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.62% | -2.69% | +0.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.15% | -5.96% | -2.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.45% | 4.19% | +2.26% |
Volatility
SWHFX vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Health Care Fund™ (SWHFX) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) have volatilities of 5.79% and 5.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SWHFX | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.79% | 5.54% | +0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.88% | 11.64% | +0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.74% | 15.35% | +1.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.97% | 15.25% | -0.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.05% | 17.02% | -0.97% |
SWHFX vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison
SWHFX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
SWHFX vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison
SWHFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWHFX Schwab Health Care Fund™ | 0.00% | 0.00% | 9.49% | 3.60% | 4.18% | 12.52% | 11.47% | 4.56% | 10.02% | 7.32% | 2.63% | 16.31% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.55% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, SWHFX and VHT 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.
SWHFX has higher volatility (5.79%) compared to VHT (5.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWHFX dropped -43.10% vs VHT's -39.12%.
VHT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 0.89), 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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