VOT vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 12.88%/yr vs 12.31%/yr for SCHM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

VOT vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 8.61% return, which is significantly lower than SCHM's 22.04% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VOT having a 12.88% annualized return and SCHM not far behind at 12.31%.

VOT

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 6.54%
• 1Y: 9.65%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 12.88%

SCHM

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 22.04%
• 6M: 19.62%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

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

VOT vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	8.61%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	22.04%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and SCHM is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.92

The correlation between VOT and SCHM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. SCHM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	SCHM
Technology	32.5%	22.1%
Industrials	23.2%	21.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	10.8%
Healthcare	8.9%	10.9%
Financial Services	6.9%	10.9%
Real Estate	4.5%	6.4%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.6%
Utilities	3.2%	2.9%
Energy	1.9%	3.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	3.4%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. SCHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 18
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 18

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 78
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VOT vs. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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.

	VOT	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.58	2.12	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.90	2.95	-2.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.37	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.61	3.71	-3.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.81	14.81	-13.00

VOT vs. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.58, which is lower than the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and SCHM, 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

VOT vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, which is greater than SCHM's maximum drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-42.43%	-17.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-9.32%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-23.27%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-26.46%	-10.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-42.43%	+5.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	0.00%	-1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.94%	-5.64%	-4.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.35%	2.33%	+3.02%

Volatility

VOT vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) has a higher volatility of 6.98% compared to Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) at 5.91%. This indicates that VOT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.98%	5.91%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	12.69%	+0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.83%	16.37%	+0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	19.68%	+1.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	20.49%	+0.54%

VOT vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% 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

VOT vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than SCHM's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.21%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and SCHM in my portfolio?

VOT and SCHM have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or SCHM?

VOT has higher volatility (6.98%) compared to SCHM (5.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which ETF is better, VOT or SCHM?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 12.88% vs 12.31% for SCHM. On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHM has been the lower-risk option at 5.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOT or SCHM?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 12.88% return vs 12.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOT or SCHM?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VOT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOT or SCHM?

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.21%, compared with 0.61% for VOT.

What is the main difference between VOT and SCHM?

VOT is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while SCHM is Mid Cap Blend Equities. VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOT and 0.04% for SCHM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.58), 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.