SWSSX vs. SCHA

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA).

SWSSX is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. It was launched on May 19, 1997. SCHA is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. It was launched on Nov 3, 2009. Both SWSSX and SCHA are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	-2.49%	12.88%	11.57%	17.07%	-20.43%	14.77%	20.12%	25.63%	-11.19%	14.76%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	2.24%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWSSX achieves a -2.49% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 2.24% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SWSSX having a 9.50% annualized return and SCHA not far ahead at 9.84%.

SWSSX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -8.18%
• YTD: -2.49%
• 6M: -0.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 11.83%
• 5Y*: 3.10%
• 10Y*: 9.50%

SCHA

• 1D: 3.56%
• 1M: -4.59%
• YTD: 2.24%
• 6M: 4.84%
• 1Y: 25.65%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 9.84%

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

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SWSSX and SCHA have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

SWSSX

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares

SCHA

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

SWSSX vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWSSX

SWSSX Risk / Return Rank: 50
SWSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SWSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SWSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SWSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SWSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 70
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.

	SWSSX	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	1.13	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	1.69	-0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.22	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.77	-0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	7.39	-2.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWSSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is comparable to the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWSSX and SCHA, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SWSSX	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91	1.13	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.20	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.44	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.53	-0.20

Correlation

The correlation between SWSSX and SCHA is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SWSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, more than SCHA's 1.17% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	1.32%	1.29%	1.66%	1.49%	1.32%	8.88%	2.55%	6.12%	10.45%	5.22%	4.10%	6.92%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.17%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Drawdowns

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWSSX drawdown since its inception was -60.34%, which is greater than SCHA's maximum drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWSSX and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWSSX	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.34%	-42.41%	-17.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-14.35%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.93%	-30.79%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.81%	-42.41%	+0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.00%	-6.28%	-4.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-7.65%	-3.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	3.43%	+0.25%

Volatility

SWSSX vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) is 6.59%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 7.40%. This indicates that SWSSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWSSX	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	7.40%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	13.69%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.11%	22.89%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.57%	21.95%	+0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.03%	22.67%	+1.36%