BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · US Large-Cap Growth

How Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SCHG alone. It places SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where SCHG stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: SCHG's full trading record, from December 2009 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against SCHG →Chart SCHG vs. 21 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about SCHG

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in SCHG have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SCHG over the past 16 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SCHG over the same span and SCHG's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: SCHG began trading on December 11, 2009, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis. It covers the most recent 16 years of SCHG's record, starting at the end of September 2010.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2010 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 263 of the 2,052 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SCHG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M201020132016201920222025$10,000$100,000$1M20102014201820222026
  • NVDA$9M+85,752% total · +52.5% a year
  • XLK$209,365+1,994% total · +20.9% a year
  • QQQ$172,922+1,629% total · +19.5% a year
  • IWY$130,315+1,203% total · +17.4% a year
  • MGK$127,620+1,176% total · +17.3% a year
  • SCHG$124,338+1,143% total · +17.1% a year
  • SPYG$117,670+1,077% total · +16.7% a year
  • IUSG$111,154+1,012% total · +16.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$88,503+785% total · +14.6% a year
  • SCHX$87,976+780% total · +14.6% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 798 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SCHG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000202120222023202420252026
  • XLK$27,207+172% total · +22.2% a year
  • SPMO$26,579+166% total · +21.6% a year
  • VLUE$22,395+124% total · +17.5% a year
  • PVAL$21,761+118% total · +16.8% a year
  • QQQ$21,295+113% total · +16.3% a year
  • MGK$20,216+102% total · +15.1% a year
  • SPYG$20,007+100% total · +14.9% a year
  • SCHG$19,862+98.6% total · +14.7% a year
  • JQUA$19,289+92.9% total · +14.0% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

SCHG at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

Note: SCHG began trading on December 11, 2009, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

The fund

Issuer
Schwab
Began trading
December 2009
Expense ratio
0.04%per year
Assets
$63B
Category
Broad Market

Returns

Past 1 year
+9.4%total return
Past 3 years
+95.1%+25.0% a year
Past 5 years
+82.4%+12.8% a year
Past 10 years
+438%+18.3% a year
Best calendar year
+50.1%2023
Worst calendar year
−31.8%2022
Losing years
3 of 16full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
22.5%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.65return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−34.5%Nov 2021 to Jan 2023
From its all-time high
−5.4%below the peak

SCHG against the whole market

Where SCHG ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does SCHG rank among all ETFs?

This section ranks SCHG on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how SCHG stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureSCHGRankStanding
1-year return+9.4%1,330 of 2,488bottom 48%
3-year return+95.1%263 of 1,950top 13%
5-year return+82.4%224 of 1,563top 14%
10-year return+438%27 of 958top 3%
Volatility, 5 years22.5%1,283 of 1,563bottom 19%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.65632 of 1,563top 40%
Worst decline, past 10 years−34.5%323 of 951top 34%

What has beaten SCHG on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). SCHG sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SCHG with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to SCHG; faint dots are 35 more of the 62 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SCHGMPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%VFMF: +14.5% a year, volatility 17.6%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%CRAK: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%L: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.2%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%ITA: +14.4% a year, volatility 20.4%EMLP: +15.2% a year, volatility 14.5%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%USMC: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.5%SPUS: +14.8% a year, volatility 19.5%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%GVAL: +14.2% a year, volatility 18.7%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%XLK: +19.0% a year, volatility 26.1%SCHX: +11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%SCHGSPY (S&P 500)SPMOQQQXLKSCHXJQUAPVALVLUEAVLVFFLCSIXARYWMTDXJNVSWELLFASTJNJ10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SCHGMPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%GLD: +17.1% a year, volatility 19.0%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%TDIV: +16.5% a year, volatility 21.3%DIVB: +14.6% a year, volatility 15.5%VFMF: +14.5% a year, volatility 17.6%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%CRAK: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%CB: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.4%EPD: +16.3% a year, volatility 17.1%AFL: +19.5% a year, volatility 20.8%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%TPYP: +17.2% a year, volatility 17.3%L: +15.0% a year, volatility 19.2%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%AMLP: +16.4% a year, volatility 18.9%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%ITA: +14.4% a year, volatility 20.4%EMLP: +15.2% a year, volatility 14.5%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%EWP: +19.2% a year, volatility 20.3%USMC: +13.8% a year, volatility 16.5%SPUS: +14.8% a year, volatility 19.5%IUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%GVAL: +14.2% a year, volatility 18.7%SCHG: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SPMO: +18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%QQQ: +14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%XLK: +19.0% a year, volatility 26.1%SCHX: +11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%VLUE: +16.2% a year, volatility 18.4%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%FFLC: +15.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%NVS: +17.4% a year, volatility 20.7%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%DYNF: +14.4% a year, volatility 17.5%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%SCHGSPY (S&P 500)SPMOQQQXLKSCHXJQUAPVALVLUESIXARYWMTDXJWELLFASTJNJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than SCHG?

Investments that beat SCHG over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat SCHG over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks SCHG's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than SCHG follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than SCHG's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× SCHG's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than SCHG's.

Screen the whole market against SCHG for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 20 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with SCHG?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · this page
+12.8%22.5%0.65−34.5%+438%1.000.04%
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.940.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SCHG. 6 of 20 passed at least one test.
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%0.750.13%
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Higher return in most periods+14.2%23.0%0.69−35.1%+531%0.970.18%
XLKState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF · Technology Equity
Higher return in most periods+19.0%26.1%0.80−33.6%+741%0.920.08%
SCHXSchwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Similar return, lower volatility+11.9%17.2%0.74−34.3%+313%0.940.03%
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Similar return, lower volatility+13.5%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.870.12%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in US Large-Cap Growth and US Large-Cap Equity and the categories next to it (US Large-Cap Value, US Quality Equity, US Growth Equity, US Total Market), plus SCHG's specific themes. 54 of 128 passed at least one test.
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.700.56%
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.660.15%
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.710.15%
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+15.5%16.8%0.94−19.7%—0.810.38%
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+12.9%12.7%1.02−18.4%—0.610.31%
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.920.49%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 269 of 3,513 passed at least one test.
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.44—
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+521%0.37—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.450.48%
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.13—
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+27.0%23.8%1.13−63.3%+378%0.36—
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.2%24.6%0.74−30.7%+582%0.37—
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%—0.940.26%
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%-0.03—
What these numbers mean for SCHG
Annual return
SCHG returned 12.8% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $18,200. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
SCHG's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.5%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SCHG's return lands within 22.5% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
SCHG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.65, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so SCHG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
SCHG's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 34.5%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 34.5% fall takes a 52.8% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, SCHG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.94 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against SCHG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SCHG holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 62 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SCHG with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 44 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with SCHGExpense
1
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.44—
2
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.29—
3
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.450.48%
4
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.39—
5
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.25—
6
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.4%20.7%0.89−26.8%+234%0.13—
7
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.4%17.5%0.86−34.7%—0.940.26%
8
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.1%19.0%0.93−26.4%+206%0.100.40%
9
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.6%17.2%0.94−31.4%+357%0.920.40%
10
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.700.56%
11
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.450.27%
12
TDIVFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.5%21.3%0.83−32.0%+384%0.860.50%
13
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Popular alternative+18.1%20.9%0.91−30.9%+485%0.750.13%
14
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+16.2%18.4%0.91−39.5%+286%0.660.15%
15
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%15.5%0.96−36.9%—0.680.05%
16
VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.5%17.6%0.86−41.3%—0.660.18%
17
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+20.9%19.3%1.09−31.3%+339%0.600.45%
18
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Oil Refining
Whole market+19.5%20.9%0.96−58.8%+325%0.250.61%
19
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Same or nearby category+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.710.15%
20
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity
Same or nearby category+15.5%16.8%0.94−19.7%—0.810.38%
21
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.10—
22
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.330.40%
23
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.8%20.4%0.82−42.6%+256%0.05—
24
EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+16.3%17.1%0.98−58.1%+178%0.26—
25
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.5%20.8%0.97−54.9%+344%0.21—
26
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%—-0.010.80%
27
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+207%0.31—
28
TPYPTortoise North American Pipeline ETF · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+17.2%17.3%1.01−51.9%+188%0.330.40%
29
LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.0%19.2%0.83−48.5%+190%0.24—
30
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.5%20.3%0.81−30.9%+166%0.27—
31
AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity
Whole market+16.4%18.9%0.90−72.9%+90.8%0.301.01%
32
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+14.6%19.9%0.79−39.3%+110%0.15—
33
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%14.5%1.02−41.4%+207%0.310.43%
34
ITAiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+14.4%20.4%0.77−51.0%+253%0.440.37%
35
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+15.2%14.5%1.06−43.6%+155%0.410.95%
36
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+14.4%13.6%1.06−37.6%+170%0.290.60%
37
EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · International Equity
Whole market+19.2%20.3%0.97−46.4%+190%0.370.50%
38
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same or nearby category+13.8%16.5%0.87−30.0%—0.940.12%
39
SPUSSP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Same or nearby category+14.8%19.5%0.81−30.8%—0.970.45%
40
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · US Total Market
Same or nearby category+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.790.19%
41
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+15.1%18.2%0.87−30.1%—0.420.15%
42
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+13.9%15.1%0.95−34.4%+260%0.670.50%
43
IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+14.1%15.6%0.93−37.3%+180%0.410.50%
44
GVALCambria Global Value ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+14.2%18.7%0.81−46.8%+168%0.380.68%

SCHG against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against SCHG, compared period by period and year by year.

How do SCHG's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at SCHG, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than SCHG with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%28.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySCHG: 12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SPMO: 18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%JQUA: 13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%SPYG: 12.8% a year, volatility 21.6%FBCG: 11.9% a year, volatility 26.2%FDG: 8.1% a year, volatility 25.3%VUG: 11.9% a year, volatility 22.6%XLK: 19.0% a year, volatility 26.1%QQQ: 14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%MGK: 13.1% a year, volatility 23.0%IUSG: 12.4% a year, volatility 21.3%SCHX: 11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHV: 10.3% a year, volatility 14.4%VOT: 3.3% a year, volatility 21.7%QGRO: 9.6% a year, volatility 21.2%IWY: 12.5% a year, volatility 21.9%VONG: 11.3% a year, volatility 21.8%SCHGSPY (S&P 500)SPMOJQUASPYGFBCGFDGVUGXLKQQQIUSGSCHXSCHVVOTQGROVONG12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySCHG: 12.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%SPMO: 18.1% a year, volatility 20.9%JQUA: 13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%SPYG: 12.8% a year, volatility 21.6%FBCG: 11.9% a year, volatility 26.2%FDG: 8.1% a year, volatility 25.3%VUG: 11.9% a year, volatility 22.6%XLK: 19.0% a year, volatility 26.1%QQQ: 14.2% a year, volatility 23.0%MGK: 13.1% a year, volatility 23.0%IUSG: 12.4% a year, volatility 21.3%SCHX: 11.9% a year, volatility 17.2%SCHV: 10.3% a year, volatility 14.4%VOT: 3.3% a year, volatility 21.7%QGRO: 9.6% a year, volatility 21.2%IWY: 12.5% a year, volatility 21.9%VONG: 11.3% a year, volatility 21.8%SCHGSPY (S&P 500)SPMOJQUAFBCGFDGVUGXLKQQQSCHXSCHVVOTQGROVONG
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF+19.0%26.1%
SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF+18.1%20.9%
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1+14.2%23.0%
JQUA JPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF+13.5%15.7%
MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF+13.1%23.0%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF+12.8%21.6%
SCHG This pageSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF+12.8%22.5%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF+12.5%21.9%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF+12.4%21.3%
FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF+11.9%26.2%
VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF+11.9%22.6%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF+11.9%17.2%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF+11.3%21.8%
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF+10.3%14.4%
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF+9.6%21.2%
FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF+8.1%25.3%
VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF+3.3%21.7%
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Has SCHG consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares SCHG with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than SCHG helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than SCHG over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (this page)—−3.7%+2.7%+6.6%+7.9%+9.4%+95.1%+82.4%+438%22.5%0.65−34.5%0.04%$63B—
XLK QualifiedState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF3/5 short3/3 long−7.1%+1.3%+15.6%+26.8%+28.4%+126%+139%+741%26.1%0.80−33.6%0.08%$125B54%
QQQ QualifiedInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 13/5 short3/3 long−5.8%0.0%+7.8%+15.3%+16.9%+101%+94.0%+531%23.0%0.69−35.1%0.18%$492B90%
SPMO QualifiedInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF3/5 short3/3 long−9.4%−7.3%+7.9%+16.7%+17.2%+149%+130%+485%20.9%0.91−30.9%0.13%$22B85%
QQQM QualifiedInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETF3/5 short2/3 long−5.7%0.0%+7.8%+15.3%+17.0%+102%+94.7%—22.9%0.70−35.0%0.15%$110B90%
JQUA Broad MarketJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF5/5 short1/3 long+2.1%+6.6%+16.0%+21.6%+22.8%+85.6%+88.7%—15.7%0.89−32.9%0.12%$9.2B79%
MGK TechnologyVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−4.7%+2.3%+6.2%+8.7%+10.5%+98.9%+84.7%+448%23.0%0.65−36.0%0.05%$35B90%
SPYG Broad MarketState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−4.4%+1.0%+6.5%+11.7%+14.4%+106%+82.4%+403%21.6%0.67−32.7%0.04%$57B94%
VOOG Broad MarketVanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−4.4%+1.0%+6.5%+11.6%+14.3%+106%+82.0%+401%21.6%0.67−32.7%0.07%$28B94%
IVW Broad MarketiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−4.4%+1.0%+6.5%+11.5%+14.3%+105%+81.3%+398%21.6%0.66−32.7%0.18%$77B95%
IUSG Broad MarketiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−4.4%+0.7%+6.2%+11.6%+14.5%+103%+79.5%+390%21.3%0.66−32.4%0.04%$33B95%
FBCG Broad MarketFidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF2/5 short1/3 long−7.0%−2.0%+2.7%+8.7%+12.9%+108%+75.6%—26.2%0.56−43.5%0.57%$7.6B95%
FDG Broad MarketAmerican Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF0/5 short1/3 long−6.7%−1.3%−2.3%+0.2%+4.2%+108%+47.3%—25.3%0.43−43.7%0.45%$457M80%
SCHX Broad MarketSchwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF4/5 short0/3 long−1.4%+2.3%+7.6%+12.3%+15.0%+88.3%+75.1%+313%17.2%0.74−34.3%0.03%$74B79%
SCHV Broad MarketSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF4/5 short0/3 long+1.6%+1.6%+9.3%+17.2%+21.2%+77.9%+63.1%+196%14.4%0.75−37.1%0.04%$15B49%
VOT Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF1/5 short0/3 long−3.0%−2.0%+2.3%+3.3%+0.5%+57.8%+17.6%+198%21.7%0.26−37.2%0.05%$33B66%
QGRO Broad MarketAmerican Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF1/5 short0/3 long−1.7%+1.5%+1.9%+1.8%+2.4%+78.6%+57.8%—21.2%0.54−32.6%0.29%$1.9B86%
IWY Broad MarketiShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF0/5 short0/3 long−5.3%−0.2%+1.1%+2.6%+3.4%+85.8%+79.9%+448%21.9%0.65−32.7%0.20%$16B93%
VUG Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Growth ETF0/5 short0/3 long−4.2%+1.8%+5.2%+7.9%+9.2%+96.1%+75.4%+407%22.6%0.61−35.6%0.03%$392B94%
VONG Broad MarketVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF0/5 short0/3 long−5.3%−0.6%+0.5%+2.1%+2.9%+84.2%+71.1%+407%21.8%0.60−32.7%0.06%$56B96%
IWF Broad MarketiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF0/5 short0/3 long−5.2%−0.6%+0.5%+2.1%+2.9%+83.6%+70.3%+402%21.8%0.60−32.7%0.18%$125B96%
CGGR Broad MarketCapital Group Growth ETF0/5 short0/3 long−4.5%+1.3%+3.3%+3.7%+4.7%+92.9%————−28.9%0.39%$26B87%
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How did SCHG do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2010, along with where SCHG ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with SCHG and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: SCHG began trading on December 11, 2009, so the table starts with 2010, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of SCHG; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places SCHG among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of SCHG2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
SCHG This pageSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF—+17.4%+34.9%+50.1%−31.8%+28.1%+39.1%+35.9%−1.3%+27.4%+8.9%+3.4%+15.9%+34.4%+16.5%−0.6%+16.6%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 1614 of 186 of 185 of 1812 of 177 of 175 of 157 of 156 of 148 of 134 of 138 of 123 of 122 of 124 of 1211 of 125 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 16+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF11 of 16+24.6%+21.6%+56.0%−27.7%+34.8%+43.6%+49.9%−1.7%+34.3%+15.0%+5.5%+17.9%+26.2%+15.4%+2.5%+11.5%
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 112 of 16+20.8%+25.6%+54.9%−32.6%+27.4%+48.6%+39.0%−0.1%+32.7%+7.1%+9.4%+19.2%+36.6%+18.1%+3.4%+19.9%
SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF3 of 10+26.6%+45.8%+17.6%−10.4%+22.7%+28.2%+25.9%−0.9%+27.8%+7.4%——————
JQUA JPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF1 of 8+11.7%+21.2%+25.1%−13.4%+28.7%+16.6%+28.5%−2.9%————————
MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF7 of 16+20.7%+32.9%+51.7%−33.6%+28.6%+40.9%+37.4%−2.9%+29.6%+6.6%+3.7%+13.6%+32.6%+17.3%+3.2%+14.6%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF7 of 16+22.1%+36.0%+30.0%−29.4%+32.0%+33.4%+30.8%−0.1%+27.3%+6.9%+5.1%+14.8%+32.5%+14.3%+4.6%+16.3%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF7 of 16+21.2%+34.7%+29.3%−28.8%+31.3%+32.6%+30.6%−0.8%+27.0%+7.3%+5.0%+12.4%+34.0%+14.9%+1.9%+17.3%
FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF3 of 5+18.6%+39.0%+58.0%−39.1%+21.3%———————————
FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF2 of 5+22.1%+45.9%+37.2%−35.7%+8.5%———————————
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF3 of 16+17.5%+24.9%+26.8%−19.4%+26.8%+21.0%+31.2%−4.5%+21.6%+12.1%+1.0%+13.3%+32.6%+16.4%+1.6%+15.9%
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF3 of 16+16.0%+14.1%+8.9%−7.6%+25.5%+2.6%+25.9%−7.3%+15.7%+18.2%−1.0%+10.9%+31.1%+14.9%+3.5%+14.8%
VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF2 of 16+10.7%+16.4%+23.1%−28.9%+20.5%+34.5%+33.8%−5.6%+21.8%+6.9%−1.1%+13.5%+32.4%+16.0%−3.9%+29.1%
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF1 of 7+15.2%+31.4%+32.4%−24.5%+24.6%+38.0%+35.1%—————————
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF7 of 16+18.2%+34.9%+46.5%−29.9%+31.1%+39.0%+36.2%−0.7%+31.7%+6.9%+7.9%+13.4%+32.4%+14.6%+4.6%+11.9%
VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF4 of 16+19.4%+32.7%+46.8%−33.1%+27.4%+40.2%+37.0%−3.3%+27.8%+6.2%+3.3%+13.6%+32.6%+17.1%+1.8%+17.1%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF5 of 15+18.4%+33.2%+42.7%−29.2%+27.6%+38.3%+36.0%−1.6%+30.1%+7.0%+5.6%+12.9%+33.2%+15.2%+2.4%—
CGGR Capital Group Growth ETF1 of 3+19.8%+32.1%+42.2%—————————————
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Risk and diversification

How SCHG has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were SCHG's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents SCHG's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2009, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: SCHG began trading on December 11, 2009, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means SCHG fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringSCHG fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−34.5%−17.5%Nov 2021Jan 202314 monthsDec 202311 months
Covid crash−32.3%−33.7%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJun 20203 months
No named crash−23.4%−17.7%Dec 2024Apr 20254 monthsJun 20252 months
Late-2018 sell-off−21.6%−19.2%Oct 2018Dec 20182 monthsApr 20194 months
2011 euro debt crisis−20.6%−18.4%Jul 2011Oct 20113 monthsFeb 20124 months

How did SCHG do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far SCHG, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: SCHG began trading on December 11, 2009, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than SCHG.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
SCHG This pageSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF—−3.6%−32.2%−32.3%−21.6%−6.4%−16.2%−20.2%−1.8%Not yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4 of 8−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF3 of 8−3.2%−32.4%−31.1%−23.8%−6.7%−12.7%−15.9%−2.1%−53.0%−82.0%
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 12 of 8−3.1%−33.4%−28.6%−22.7%−6.8%−16.1%−16.1%−2.5%−53.4%−83.0%
SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF3 of 5−2.4%−22.7%−30.9%−23.4%−6.7%—————
JQUA JPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF2 of 5−3.2%−21.8%−32.9%−17.1%−8.4%—————
MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF3 of 8−3.3%−33.9%−31.2%−22.6%−6.3%−15.0%−16.8%−2.0%——
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF6 of 8−3.0%−31.3%−31.3%−20.6%−6.4%−13.4%−16.3%−2.6%−51.3%—
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF5 of 8−3.0%−30.8%−32.4%−20.7%−6.5%−14.1%−18.9%−2.1%−51.8%—
FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF0 of 2−4.6%−38.8%————————
FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF0 of 2−4.4%−37.3%————————
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF5 of 8−3.7%−25.2%−34.3%−19.4%−6.4%−13.4%−18.5%−1.2%——
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF4 of 8−4.2%−19.8%−36.6%−17.7%−6.5%−11.1%−17.0%−1.4%——
VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF0 of 8−5.2%−32.1%−36.2%−21.5%−6.2%−20.8%−25.0%−2.8%−60.2%—
QGRO American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF1 of 4−3.9%−28.9%−32.6%−22.6%——————
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF4 of 8−3.1%−31.5%−30.8%−22.2%−6.5%−12.3%−15.8%−2.3%——
VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF3 of 8−3.5%−33.7%−31.8%−22.3%−6.2%−15.2%−18.3%−2.0%−50.7%—
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF4 of 7−3.5%−31.2%−31.7%−22.0%−6.4%−13.4%−17.8%———
CGGR Capital Group Growth ETF0 of 1−4.6%—————————
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How closely does SCHG move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares SCHG with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than SCHG's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
SCHG This pageSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF114%107%1.061.12
SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF102%76%1.350.99
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF128%100%1.281.19
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1118%102%1.161.13
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF113%102%1.101.09
MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF115%107%1.071.14
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF109%102%1.071.08
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF111%104%1.071.10
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF109%103%1.051.08
VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF113%108%1.041.13
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF100%101%0.991.01
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF84%95%0.880.91
VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF95%113%0.841.12
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What diversifies SCHG?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with SCHG's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing SCHG with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which SCHG lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% SCHG and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (this page)1.00+82.4%0.65−31.8%−1.3%−0.6%19.9%+14.7%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.33+119%1.48+3.8%−5.2%—16.7%+15.5%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.45+225%1.34+6.0%−19.8%−16.1%17.2%+17.4%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.41+103%1.06+10.4%−8.7%—17.3%+15.2%
EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF0.37+141%0.97−5.2%−15.3%−9.8%17.7%+16.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.08+178%0.94+64.4%−18.2%+2.8%17.2%+17.2%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.10+120%0.93−0.8%−1.9%+9.6%16.7%+16.0%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.30+114%0.90+25.5%−12.6%+10.2%17.4%+15.9%
EFV InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF0.44+89.4%0.89−5.2%−14.7%−12.4%17.5%+14.9%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (this page)1.00+82.4%0.65−31.8%−1.3%−0.6%19.9%+14.7%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.18+471%1.54+54.1%−24.5%+8.1%17.7%+19.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.09+397%1.41+51.8%−28.4%+11.8%17.2%+19.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.14+660%1.39+86.6%−8.2%—18.1%+22.0%
PBR Oil & Gas IntegratedPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras0.05+721%1.32+55.4%+27.7%−32.1%17.9%+21.8%
HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc.0.40+544%1.31+24.2%−37.5%−42.9%19.8%+21.8%
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Common questions

What was SCHG's worst drawdown?

SCHG's deepest decline since it began trading in 2009 was 34.5%, from November 2021 to January 2023. It took 11 months from the low to climb back to its old high. Because SCHG launched in December 2009, that record does not include the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

What were SCHG's best and worst years?

Over 16 full calendar years, SCHG's best year was 2023, when it returned 50.1%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -31.8%.

Is there a better investment than SCHG?

Among SCHG's popular alternatives, SPMO earned more than SCHG with less volatility over the past 5 years: 18.1% a year at 20.9% volatility, against 12.8% a year at 22.5%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, PVAL (US large-cap value) and VLUE (US large-cap value) earned more than SCHG with less volatility over the past 5 years. PVAL returned 15.9% a year at 15.1% volatility, against 12.8% a year at 22.5%.

Is SCHG more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. SCHG's volatility over the past 5 years was 22.5%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SCHG's return lands within 22.5% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is SCHG's Sharpe ratio?

SCHG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.65, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so SCHG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is SCHG with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, SCHG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.94 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against SCHG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SCHG holding.

What are the best alternatives to SCHG?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, four outperformed SCHG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: XLK, QQQ and SPMO.

Did SCHG outperform the S&P 500?

SCHG finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in ten of 16 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +17.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did SCHG do in stock market crashes?

SCHG fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the eight major crashes it has traded through, and further in four. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when SCHG fell 32.2% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies SCHG?

These had a low correlation with SCHG over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.33), DXJ (correlation 0.45) and EMLP (correlation 0.41); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.18), MCK (correlation 0.09) and MPC (correlation 0.14). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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