USRD vs. SCHK

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

USRD (Themes US R&D Champions ETF) and SCHK (Schwab 1000 Index ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - USRD tracks the Solactive US R&D Champions Index while SCHK tracks the Schwab 1000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, USRD returned 16.97% vs 22.28% for SCHK. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USRD charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHK.

Performance

USRD vs. SCHK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USRD achieves a 10.41% return, which is significantly higher than SCHK's 8.52% return.

USRD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -2.99%
• YTD: 10.41%
• 6M: 9.00%
• 1Y: 16.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHK

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.68%
• YTD: 8.52%
• 6M: 7.14%
• 1Y: 22.28%
• 3Y*: 20.89%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

USRD vs. SCHK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	10.41%	12.44%	15.53%	5.32%
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	8.52%	17.23%	24.48%	3.13%

Correlation

The correlation between USRD and SCHK is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2023	0.90

The correlation between USRD and SCHK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

USRD vs. SCHK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRD	SCHK
Technology	64.5%	38.0%
Healthcare	14.3%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	9.8%
Communication Services	7.0%	10.1%
Industrials	3.6%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	4.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	2.0%
Energy	-	3.2%
Financial Services	-	11.2%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

USRD vs. SCHK — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRD

USRD Risk / Return Rank: 27
USRD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
USRD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
USRD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USRD Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
USRD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SCHK

SCHK Risk / Return Rank: 61
SCHK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SCHK Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SCHK Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHK Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SCHK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

USRD vs. SCHK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK). 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.

	USRD	SCHK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	1.75	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	2.40	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.32	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	2.50	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	11.02	-7.37

USRD vs. SCHK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRD Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is lower than the SCHK Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRD and SCHK, 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

USRD vs. SCHK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRD drawdown since its inception was -23.79%, smaller than the maximum SCHK drawdown of -34.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRD and SCHK.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRD	SCHK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.79%	-34.80%	+11.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.49%	-8.97%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.21%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.98%	-3.00%	-5.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.77%	-5.16%	+1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	2.03%	+2.64%

Volatility

USRD vs. SCHK - Volatility Comparison

Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) has a higher volatility of 8.33% compared to Schwab 1000 Index ETF (SCHK) at 4.87%. This indicates that USRD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USRD	SCHK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.33%	4.87%	+3.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.68%	10.04%	+4.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	12.77%	+5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.49%	17.33%	+2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.49%	19.11%	+0.38%

USRD vs. SCHK - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRD has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHK's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

USRD vs. SCHK - Dividend Comparison

USRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than SCHK's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHK Schwab 1000 Index ETF	1.05%	1.09%	1.20%	1.38%	1.57%	1.17%	1.58%	1.82%	1.80%	0.31%
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	0.38%	0.42%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRD and SCHK in my portfolio?

USRD and SCHK have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRD or SCHK?

USRD has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to SCHK (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRD dropped -23.79% vs SCHK's -34.80%.

Which ETF is better, USRD or SCHK?

On 1-year performance, SCHK leads with 22.28% vs 16.97% for USRD. On fees, SCHK is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHK has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USRD or SCHK?

Over the 1-year period, SCHK has performed better with a 22.28% return vs 16.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRD or SCHK?

SCHK is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for USRD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USRD or SCHK?

SCHK has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.38% for USRD.

What is the main difference between USRD and SCHK?

USRD tracks Solactive US R&D Champions Index, while SCHK tracks Schwab 1000 Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for USRD and 0.03% for SCHK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 0.96), 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.