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SWYLX vs. SWSSX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SWYLX vs. SWSSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYLX (Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund) and SWSSX (Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares) are both mutual funds - SWYLX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Charles Schwab, while SWSSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Over the past 5 years, SWYLX returned 5.44%/yr vs 6.65%/yr for SWSSX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWYLX achieves a 5.77% return, which is significantly lower than SWSSX's 18.71% return.

SWYLX

1D
0.14%
1M
2.52%
YTD
5.77%
6M
5.89%
1Y
14.58%
3Y*
11.09%
5Y*
5.44%
10Y*
—

SWSSX

1D
0.92%
1M
5.00%
YTD
18.71%
6M
17.43%
1Y
41.24%
3Y*
18.69%
5Y*
6.65%
10Y*
11.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SWYLX
Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund		5.77%12.23%8.03%13.15%-13.79%8.06%11.04%16.21%-3.08%12.11%
SWSSX
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares		18.71%12.88%11.57%17.07%-20.43%14.77%20.12%25.63%-11.19%14.76%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYLX and SWSSX is 0.79, 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

0.79

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016

0.78

The correlation between SWYLX and SWSSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SWYLX
SWSSX

Technology

27.8%
17.0%

Financial Services

14.2%
15.8%

Industrials

11.0%
17.7%

Consumer Cyclical

8.9%
8.4%

Real Estate

8.2%
6.1%

Communication Services

8.0%
2.4%

Healthcare

8.0%
16.5%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
2.4%

Energy

3.9%
6.1%

Basic Materials

3.1%
4.8%

Utilities

2.4%
2.9%

Technology

SWYLX
27.8%
SWSSX
17.0%

Financial Services

SWYLX
14.2%
SWSSX
15.8%

Industrials

SWYLX
11.0%
SWSSX
17.7%

Consumer Cyclical

SWYLX
8.9%
SWSSX
8.4%

Real Estate

SWYLX
8.2%
SWSSX
6.1%

Communication Services

SWYLX
8.0%
SWSSX
2.4%

Healthcare

SWYLX
8.0%
SWSSX
16.5%

Consumer Defensive

SWYLX
4.7%
SWSSX
2.4%

Energy

SWYLX
3.9%
SWSSX
6.1%

Basic Materials

SWYLX
3.1%
SWSSX
4.8%

Utilities

SWYLX
2.4%
SWSSX
2.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares

Often compared with SWYLX:
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Often compared with SWSSX:
SWSSX vs. SCHASWSSX vs. SWPPXSWSSX vs. SFSNXSWSSX vs. SWSCXSWSSX vs. VSMAXSWSSX vs. VSIAXSWSSX vs. VBR

Return for Risk

SWYLX vs. SWSSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SWYLX
SWYLX Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
SWYLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SWYLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
SWYLX Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
SWYLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
SWYLX Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
SWSSX
SWSSX Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
SWSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SWSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
SWSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
SWSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
SWSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) and Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX). 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.

SWYLXSWSSXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.51
2.28

+0.23

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.62
3.13

+0.49

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.37

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.17

3.97

-0.80

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.35

14.11

+0.24

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the SWSSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYLX and SWSSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SWYLXSWSSXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.51

2.28

+0.23

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

0.30

+0.35

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.47

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.82

0.36

+0.46

Drawdowns

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYLX drawdown since its inception was -20.63%, smaller than the maximum SWSSX drawdown of -60.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYLX and SWSSX.

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Drawdown Indicators

SWYLXSWSSXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-20.63%

-60.34%

+39.71%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.70%

-11.00%

+6.30%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-7.02%

-27.50%

+20.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.63%

-31.93%

+11.30%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-41.81%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.13%

+0.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.48%

-10.73%

+7.25%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.04%

3.09%

-2.05%

Volatility

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) is 2.01%, while Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) has a volatility of 5.61%. This indicates that SWYLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SWSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SWYLXSWSSXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.01%

5.61%

-3.60%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

4.78%

13.60%

-8.82%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

5.94%

19.15%

-13.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

8.45%

22.59%

-14.14%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

8.25%

24.09%

-15.84%

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SWYLX and SWSSX 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%.

Dividends

SWYLX vs. SWSSX - Dividend Comparison

SWYLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.39%, more than SWSSX's 1.08% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SWSSX
Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares		1.08%1.29%1.66%1.49%1.32%8.88%2.55%6.12%10.45%5.22%4.10%6.92%
SWYLX
Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund		5.39%5.70%4.82%2.61%2.48%2.44%1.77%2.12%2.29%1.21%0.67%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SWYLX and SWSSX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SWSSX has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to SWYLX (2.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYLX dropped -20.63% vs SWSSX's -60.34%.

SWYLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.28), 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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