SWOBX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SWOBX (Schwab Balanced Fund™) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - SWOBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Charles Schwab, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, SWOBX returned 8.91%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWOBX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

SWOBX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Balanced Fund™ (SWOBX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWOBX achieves a 5.37% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 9.75% return. Over the past 10 years, SWOBX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 8.91%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.

SWOBX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 5.37%
• 6M: 5.11%
• 1Y: 16.17%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: 8.91%

VOO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 9.75%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 21.36%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 15.77%

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

SWOBX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWOBX Schwab Balanced Fund™	5.37%	12.76%	12.51%	18.25%	-18.86%	14.76%	14.73%	20.13%	-4.35%	15.52%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.75%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SWOBX and VOO 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.95

The correlation between SWOBX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWOBX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWOBX

SWOBX Risk / Return Rank: 45
SWOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SWOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SWOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SWOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SWOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SWOBX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Balanced Fund™ (SWOBX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	SWOBX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.17	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.93	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.02	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.43	13.58	-3.15

SWOBX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWOBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWOBX and VOO, 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

SWOBX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWOBX drawdown since its inception was -35.99%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWOBX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWOBX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.99%	-33.99%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.58%	-8.90%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.72%	-18.69%	+6.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.30%	-24.52%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.30%	-33.99%	+5.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-1.74%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.21%	-3.68%	-2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.98%	-0.45%

Volatility

SWOBX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Balanced Fund™ (SWOBX) is 3.54%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 4.60%. This indicates that SWOBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWOBX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.60%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	9.73%	-2.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.07%	12.39%	-3.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.03%	16.90%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.91%	18.05%	-5.14%

SWOBX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWOBX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VOO'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

SWOBX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

SWOBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.20%, more than VOO's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWOBX Schwab Balanced Fund™	5.20%	5.47%	4.94%	5.67%	10.21%	6.47%	2.97%	5.21%	7.11%	3.20%	7.83%	7.66%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.04%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWOBX and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SWOBX and VOO 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, SWOBX or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to SWOBX (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWOBX dropped -35.99% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.76), 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.