VBK vs. SCHR
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and SCHR (Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while SCHR is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 11.82%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for SCHR. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
VBK vs. SCHR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 16.25% return, which is significantly higher than SCHR's -0.27% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed SCHR with an annualized return of 11.82%, while SCHR has yielded a comparatively lower 1.19% annualized return.
VBK
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 3.93%
- YTD
- 16.25%
- 6M
- 14.67%
- 1Y
- 31.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.87%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
SCHR
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 0.66%
- YTD
- -0.27%
- 6M
- 0.04%
- 1Y
- 3.42%
- 3Y*
- 3.71%
- 5Y*
- 0.02%
- 10Y*
- 1.19%
VBK vs. SCHR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 16.25% | 8.50% | 16.50% | 21.45% | -28.44% | 5.66% | 35.44% | 32.75% | -5.70% | 21.87% |
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | -0.27% | 7.33% | 1.42% | 4.27% | -10.58% | -2.62% | 7.72% | 6.18% | 1.46% | 1.59% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBK and SCHR is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2010 | -0.16 |
The correlation between VBK and SCHR shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBK vs. SCHR — Risk / Return Rank
VBK
SCHR
VBK vs. SCHR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR). 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.
| VBK | SCHR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.53 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.17 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.62 | 1.17 | +1.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.82 | 3.29 | +6.53 |
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Drawdowns
VBK vs. SCHR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than SCHR's maximum drawdown of -16.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and SCHR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBK | SCHR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.68% | -16.11% | -42.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.44% | -2.79% | -8.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.54% | -4.35% | -23.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.39% | -15.07% | -23.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.70% | -16.11% | -22.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.04% | -2.21% | +0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.14% | -3.64% | -6.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.05% | 0.99% | +2.06% |
Volatility
VBK vs. SCHR - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 7.31% compared to Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR) at 1.11%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBK | SCHR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.31% | 1.11% | +6.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.61% | 2.40% | +13.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.96% | 3.38% | +16.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.59% | 5.38% | +18.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.92% | 4.47% | +18.45% |
VBK vs. SCHR - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VBK and SCHR have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VBK vs. SCHR - Dividend Comparison
VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than SCHR's 3.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHR Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 3.91% | 3.85% | 3.77% | 3.16% | 2.02% | 1.00% | 1.62% | 2.31% | 2.11% | 1.65% | 1.45% | 1.56% |
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF | 0.45% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 1.08% | 0.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBK and SCHR have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBK has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to SCHR (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs SCHR's -16.11%.
On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.82% vs 1.19% for SCHR. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHR has been the lower-risk option at 1.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.82% return vs 1.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VBK and SCHR have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.
SCHR has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 0.45% for VBK.
VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SCHR is Government Bonds. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while SCHR tracks Bloomberg US Treasury 3-10 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab.
VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.97), 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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