USTB vs. SCHJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) and SCHJ (Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index, while SCHJ is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Corporate (1-5 Y). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USTB returned 3.52%/yr vs 2.35%/yr for SCHJ. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USTB charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SCHJ.

Performance

USTB vs. SCHJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USTB achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly higher than SCHJ's 0.64% return.

USTB

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: —

SCHJ

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 1.06%
• 1Y: 4.58%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

USTB vs. SCHJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	1.23%	6.08%	6.49%	6.69%	-2.82%	0.90%	5.12%	0.54%
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	0.64%	6.80%	4.89%	6.36%	-5.73%	-0.67%	5.30%	0.61%

Correlation

The correlation between USTB and SCHJ is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.71

The correlation between USTB and SCHJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.83 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

USTB vs. SCHJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

USTB

USTB Risk / Return Rank: 94
USTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
USTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
USTB Omega Ratio Rank: 97
USTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
USTB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SCHJ

SCHJ Risk / Return Rank: 74
SCHJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SCHJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SCHJ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SCHJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SCHJ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

USTB vs. SCHJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ). 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.

	USTB	SCHJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	2.46	+1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.76	3.84	+2.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.89	1.49	+0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.28	3.11	+2.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.05	12.34	+11.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USTB vs. SCHJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USTB Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is higher than the SCHJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USTB and SCHJ, 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

	USTB	SCHJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96	2.46	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.76	0.80	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.73	0.64	+1.09

Drawdowns

USTB vs. SCHJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USTB drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, smaller than the maximum SCHJ drawdown of -13.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USTB and SCHJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	USTB	SCHJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-13.62%	+8.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-1.47%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.02%	-1.47%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.96%	-9.43%	+4.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.37%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.66%	-1.89%	+1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.37%	-0.18%

Volatility

USTB vs. SCHJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) is 0.34%, while Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ) has a volatility of 0.56%. This indicates that USTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USTB	SCHJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.34%	0.56%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.84%	1.36%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26%	1.87%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.01%	2.94%	-0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.01%	4.13%	-2.12%

USTB vs. SCHJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

USTB has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHJ's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

USTB vs. SCHJ - Dividend Comparison

USTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than SCHJ's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHJ Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	4.50%	4.42%	4.00%	2.98%	1.64%	0.94%	2.54%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	4.58%	4.62%	5.05%	4.49%	2.54%	1.84%	2.59%	2.69%	2.32%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USTB and SCHJ in my portfolio?

USTB and SCHJ 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, USTB or SCHJ?

SCHJ has higher volatility (0.56%) compared to USTB (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USTB dropped -5.32% vs SCHJ's -13.62%.

Which ETF is better, USTB or SCHJ?

On 5-year performance, USTB leads with 3.52% vs 2.35% for SCHJ. On fees, SCHJ is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, USTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USTB or SCHJ?

Over the 5-year period, USTB has performed better with a 3.52% return vs 2.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USTB or SCHJ?

SCHJ is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USTB or SCHJ?

USTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.50% for SCHJ.

What is the main difference between USTB and SCHJ?

USTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SCHJ is Corporate Bonds. USTB tracks Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index, while SCHJ tracks Bloomberg US Corporate (1-5 Y). They also come from different issuers: Victory and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for USTB and 0.05% for SCHJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.46), 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.