SWYMX vs. VO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SWYMX (Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - SWYMX is a Target Retirement Date fund tracking the Target 2050 Passive Composite Index, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SWYMX returned 9.40%/yr vs 7.77%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SWYMX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

SWYMX vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWYMX achieves a 10.70% return, which is significantly lower than VO's 12.35% return.

SWYMX

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: 7.73%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.30%

VO

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.55%
• 6M: 10.12%
• YTD: 12.35%
• 1Y: 16.51%
• 3Y*: 14.32%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 11.50%
• ALL TIME*: 10.33%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	$194.51M	$293.72M	$235.90M

SWYMX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	10.70%	19.42%	14.24%	20.92%	-17.65%	17.80%	14.66%	25.34%	-7.58%	20.48%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	12.35%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYMX and VO is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2016	0.92

The correlation between SWYMX and VO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYMX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SWYMX

SWYMX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWYMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SWYMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SWYMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SWYMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SWYMX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 51
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SWYMX vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	SWYMX	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.18	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	1.73	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.21	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	1.83	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	6.99	+2.97

SWYMX vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYMX and VO, 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

SWYMX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYMX drawdown since its inception was -30.48%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYMX and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYMX	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.48%	-58.87%	+28.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.55%	-8.17%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-19.02%	+4.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.37%	-27.57%	+2.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	-0.49%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.45%	-7.81%	+3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.13%	-0.14%

Volatility

SWYMX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 2.09%. This indicates that SWYMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYMX	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	2.09%	+1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	9.44%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	12.61%	-0.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	17.59%	-2.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.60%	18.86%	-3.26%

SWYMX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYMX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWYMX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

SWYMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, more than VO's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	1.81%	2.00%	2.03%	1.99%	1.96%	1.78%	1.65%	1.96%	2.15%	1.43%	1.22%	0.00%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.32%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYMX and VO in my portfolio?

SWYMX and VO have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWYMX or VO?

SWYMX has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to VO (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYMX dropped -30.48% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.18), 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.