VGSH vs. SCHQ
VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) and SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VGSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index while SCHQ tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGSH returned 1.81%/yr vs -5.29%/yr for SCHQ. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGSH achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly higher than SCHQ's -0.43% return.
VGSH
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 0.48%
- 6M
- 0.74%
- 1Y
- 3.43%
- 3Y*
- 4.15%
- 5Y*
- 1.81%
- 10Y*
- 1.74%
SCHQ
- 1D
- -0.45%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- YTD
- -0.43%
- 6M
- -1.74%
- 1Y
- 5.22%
- 3Y*
- -0.72%
- 5Y*
- -5.29%
- 10Y*
- —
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.48% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 3.04% | 0.29% |
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | -0.43% | 5.50% | -6.44% | 3.43% | -29.44% | -4.86% | 17.73% | -4.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGSH and SCHQ is 0.67, 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 | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019 | 0.61 |
The correlation between VGSH and SCHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGSH vs. SCHQ — Risk / Return Rank
VGSH
SCHQ
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ). 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.
| VGSH | SCHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.57 | 1.10 | +0.46 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.90 | 0.75 | +3.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.52 | 1.94 | +13.58 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGSH | SCHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.68 | 0.59 | +2.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 | -0.37 | +1.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.11 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.01 | -0.25 | +1.27 |
Drawdowns
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGSH drawdown since its inception was -5.70%, smaller than the maximum SCHQ drawdown of -46.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSH and SCHQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGSH | SCHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.70% | -46.13% | +40.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.88% | -7.01% | +6.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.97% | -17.65% | +16.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.66% | -40.93% | +35.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.29% | -36.82% | +36.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -26.36% | +25.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.22% | 2.70% | -2.48% |
Volatility
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is 0.35%, while Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that VGSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGSH | SCHQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.35% | 2.57% | -2.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.88% | 5.94% | -5.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.29% | 8.93% | -7.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.97% | 14.54% | -12.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.57% | 15.33% | -13.76% |
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VGSH and SCHQ have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGSH vs. SCHQ - Dividend Comparison
VGSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than SCHQ's 4.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF | 4.79% | 4.54% | 4.58% | 3.79% | 2.88% | 1.69% | 1.51% | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 4.00% | 4.18% | 3.31% | 1.15% | 0.66% | 1.74% | 2.28% | 1.79% | 1.10% | 0.84% | 0.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGSH and SCHQ have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCHQ has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to VGSH (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGSH dropped -5.70% vs SCHQ's -46.13%.
On 5-year performance, VGSH leads with 1.81% vs -5.29% for SCHQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VGSH has performed better with a 1.81% return vs -5.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGSH and SCHQ have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SCHQ has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.
VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index, while SCHQ tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 0.59), 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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