SWMRX vs. VTI
SWMRX (Schwab Target 2045 Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - SWMRX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Charles Schwab, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, SWMRX returned 10.79%/yr vs 15.31%/yr for VTI. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWMRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
SWMRX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SWMRX having a 9.87% return and VTI slightly higher at 10.35%. Over the past 10 years, SWMRX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 10.79%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.31% annualized return.
SWMRX
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 1.28%
- YTD
- 9.87%
- 6M
- 9.67%
- 1Y
- 24.00%
- 3Y*
- 16.50%
- 5Y*
- 8.88%
- 10Y*
- 10.79%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 10.35%
- 6M
- 9.59%
- 1Y
- 27.18%
- 3Y*
- 21.19%
- 5Y*
- 12.36%
- 10Y*
- 15.31%
SWMRX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWMRX Schwab Target 2045 Fund | 9.87% | 18.84% | 13.37% | 20.10% | -19.24% | 16.85% | 14.95% | 23.95% | -9.82% | 21.39% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 10.35% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between SWMRX and VTI is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2013 | 0.96 |
The correlation between SWMRX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SWMRX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
SWMRX
VTI
SWMRX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2045 Fund (SWMRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.
| SWMRX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.38 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.75 | 3.06 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.90 | 13.68 | -1.78 |
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Drawdowns
SWMRX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SWMRX drawdown since its inception was -30.41%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWMRX and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SWMRX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.41% | -55.45% | +25.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.62% | -8.92% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.20% | -19.30% | +5.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.12% | -25.36% | -4.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.41% | -35.00% | +4.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.39% | -1.48% | +1.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -8.01% | +2.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 1.99% | 0.00% |
Volatility
SWMRX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Target 2045 Fund (SWMRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.52% and 4.74%, 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
| SWMRX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.52% | 4.74% | -0.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.39% | 9.96% | -0.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.46% | 12.76% | -1.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.50% | 17.49% | -1.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.54% | 18.35% | -2.81% |
SWMRX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
SWMRX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VTI's 0.03% 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
SWMRX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
SWMRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than VTI's 1.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWMRX Schwab Target 2045 Fund | 4.71% | 5.18% | 3.14% | 2.98% | 7.88% | 5.18% | 2.45% | 5.46% | 6.63% | 2.79% | 5.28% | 5.76% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.02% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, SWMRX and VTI 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.
VTI has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to SWMRX (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWMRX dropped -30.41% vs VTI's -55.45%.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.07), 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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