SWLRX vs. SWAGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SWLRX (Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout) and SWAGX (Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund) are both mutual funds - SWLRX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Charles Schwab, while SWAGX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. Over the past 5 years, SWLRX returned 2.59%/yr vs -0.17%/yr for SWAGX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SWLRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SWAGX.

Performance

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout (SWLRX) and Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund (SWAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWLRX achieves a 3.95% return, which is significantly higher than SWAGX's 0.05% return.

SWLRX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: 3.95%
• 6M: 3.91%
• 1Y: 9.35%
• 3Y*: 7.93%
• 5Y*: 2.59%
• 10Y*: 3.47%

SWAGX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 4.19%
• 3Y*: 3.85%
• 5Y*: -0.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWLRX Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout	3.95%	9.85%	3.75%	8.04%	-12.49%	2.33%	6.93%	11.18%	-2.31%	4.37%
SWAGX Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund	0.05%	7.11%	1.38%	5.46%	-13.62%	-2.29%	7.39%	8.64%	-0.11%	2.62%

Correlation

The correlation between SWLRX and SWAGX is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2017	0.66

The correlation between SWLRX and SWAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWLRX vs. SWAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWLRX

SWLRX Risk / Return Rank: 61
SWLRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SWLRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SWLRX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SWLRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SWLRX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SWAGX

SWAGX Risk / Return Rank: 17
SWAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
SWAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
SWAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
SWAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
SWAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout (SWLRX) and Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund (SWAGX). 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.

	SWLRX	SWAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.09	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	1.65	+1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.19	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	1.42	+1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.04	4.02	+6.02

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWLRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the SWAGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWLRX and SWAGX, 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

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWLRX drawdown since its inception was -18.60%, smaller than the maximum SWAGX drawdown of -19.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWLRX and SWAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWLRX	SWAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.60%	-19.68%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.49%	-3.05%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.47%	-6.14%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.60%	-18.76%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-3.71%	+2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.36%	-5.67%	+3.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	1.07%	-0.10%

Volatility

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout (SWLRX) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund (SWAGX) at 1.09%. This indicates that SWLRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWLRX	SWAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	1.09%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.43%	2.96%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.50%	3.98%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.22%	6.09%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.15%	5.11%	+0.04%

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWLRX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than SWAGX's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWLRX vs. SWAGX - Dividend Comparison

SWLRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.60%, more than SWAGX's 4.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWAGX Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond Index Fund	4.15%	4.02%	3.88%	3.22%	1.93%	1.56%	2.47%	2.87%	2.80%	1.98%	0.00%	0.00%
SWLRX Schwab Monthly Income Fund - Maximum Payout	4.60%	4.63%	4.94%	4.10%	4.63%	3.07%	2.19%	3.22%	3.30%	2.47%	4.00%	4.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWLRX and SWAGX in my portfolio?

SWLRX and SWAGX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWLRX or SWAGX?

SWLRX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to SWAGX (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWLRX dropped -18.60% vs SWAGX's -19.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWLRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.09), 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.