SWYEX vs. VTHRX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYEX (Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund) and VTHRX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWYEX returned 7.19%/yr vs 7.10%/yr for VTHRX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWYEX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTHRX.

Performance

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund (SWYEX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SWYEX having a 7.72% return and VTHRX slightly higher at 8.06%.

SWYEX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 7.72%
• 6M: 8.02%
• 1Y: 18.63%
• 3Y*: 14.00%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: —

VTHRX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.58%
• YTD: 8.06%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 19.71%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 7.10%
• 10Y*: 8.92%

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

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYEX Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund	7.72%	14.82%	10.38%	16.65%	-15.68%	12.58%	13.17%	20.88%	-5.07%	16.22%
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	8.06%	16.25%	10.43%	16.24%	-16.28%	11.37%	14.11%	21.08%	-5.85%	15.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYEX and VTHRX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.98

The correlation between SWYEX and VTHRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SWYEX	VTHRX
Technology	27.4%	27.4%
Financial Services	14.6%	16.0%
Industrials	11.1%	12.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	9.4%
Real Estate	8.0%	2.5%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.3%
Communication Services	7.8%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.9%	4.3%
Basic Materials	3.4%	4.2%
Utilities	2.5%	2.7%

Return for Risk

SWYEX vs. VTHRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYEX

SWYEX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWYEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SWYEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SWYEX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SWYEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SWYEX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VTHRX

VTHRX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTHRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTHRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VTHRX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTHRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTHRX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund (SWYEX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX). 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.

	SWYEX	VTHRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.48	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	3.53	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	3.04	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	13.35	+0.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the VTHRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYEX and VTHRX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SWYEX	VTHRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.48	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.69	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.50	+0.27

Drawdowns

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYEX drawdown since its inception was -23.23%, smaller than the maximum VTHRX drawdown of -49.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYEX and VTHRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYEX	VTHRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.23%	-49.57%	+26.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-6.56%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.70%	-9.64%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.03%	-22.75%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.67%	-6.19%	+2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.32%	1.49%	-0.17%

Volatility

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund (SWYEX) is 2.41%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX) has a volatility of 2.60%. This indicates that SWYEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTHRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYEX	VTHRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	2.60%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.01%	6.53%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.57%	8.07%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.88%	10.37%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.53%	11.26%	+0.27%

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYEX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VTHRX's 0.08% 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

SWYEX vs. VTHRX - Dividend Comparison

SWYEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, less than VTHRX's 3.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWYEX Schwab Target 2030 Index Fund	2.33%	2.51%	2.60%	2.28%	2.14%	1.85%	1.72%	1.92%	2.23%	1.31%	1.02%	0.00%
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	3.73%	4.03%	3.63%	2.59%	2.53%	17.56%	2.56%	2.38%	2.71%	0.06%	2.38%	3.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYEX and VTHRX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, SWYEX and VTHRX 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, SWYEX or VTHRX?

VTHRX has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to SWYEX (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYEX dropped -23.23% vs VTHRX's -49.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.48), 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.