VTI vs. SCHX

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index while SCHX tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 14.83%/yr vs 15.21%/yr for SCHX. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

VTI vs. SCHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTI having a 13.92% return and SCHX slightly lower at 13.44%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTI having a 14.83% annualized return and SCHX not far ahead at 15.21%.

VTI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.15%
• 6M: 12.91%
• YTD: 13.92%
• 1Y: 24.23%
• 3Y*: 21.00%
• 5Y*: 12.21%
• 10Y*: 14.83%
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

SCHX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 2.39%
• 6M: 12.94%
• YTD: 13.44%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 21.37%
• 5Y*: 12.67%
• 10Y*: 15.21%
• ALL TIME*: 14.72%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	$260.90M	$270.26M	$366.50M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.15B	$1.16B	$1.24B

VTI vs. SCHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	13.92%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	13.44%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and SCHX is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.99

The correlation between VTI and SCHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. SCHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	SCHX
Technology	36.1%	36.7%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.7%
Industrials	10.2%	9.4%
Healthcare	9.7%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.6%
Communication Services	9.1%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.6%
Energy	3.2%	3.1%
Real Estate	2.3%	2.1%
Utilities	2.2%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VTI vs. SCHX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 69
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTI vs. SCHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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.

	VTI	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.82	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.51	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.60	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.76	10.98	+0.79

VTI vs. SCHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the SCHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI and SCHX, 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

VTI vs. SCHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than SCHX's maximum drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and SCHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	SCHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-34.33%	-21.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-9.02%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-19.04%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-25.41%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-34.33%	-0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.20%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-3.94%	-4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	2.14%	-0.07%

Volatility

VTI vs. SCHX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) have volatilities of 4.09% and 3.97%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTI	SCHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	3.97%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.44%	10.28%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	12.93%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.54%	17.26%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	18.17%	+0.15%

VTI vs. SCHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VTI and SCHX 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

VTI vs. SCHX - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than SCHX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and SCHX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VTI and SCHX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VTI or SCHX?

VTI has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to SCHX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs SCHX's -34.33%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or SCHX?

On 10-year performance, SCHX leads with 15.21% vs 14.83% for VTI. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHX has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or SCHX?

Over the 10-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 15.21% return vs 14.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or SCHX?

VTI and SCHX have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTI or SCHX?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 1.00% for SCHX.

What is the main difference between VTI and SCHX?

VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.82), 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.