SAEF vs VOO
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SAEF or VOO?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VOO over the full window. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SAEF | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 59 | 509 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $17,013Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 63 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SAEF has data through Jul 17, 2026 and VOO through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.9% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -28.1% for SAEF and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
32.2% of SAEF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.0% of VOO's money is in holdings SAEF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VOO as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
20 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 494 in VOO, against full books of 59 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 467 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for SAEF (98.1% of the fund), and 35 for SAEF that do not appear in VOO (61.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAEF | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLHNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings | 4.06% | 0.01% | 4.05% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 2.75% | 0.05% | 2.70% |
| KKRKkr & Co. Inc. Class a | 2.13% | 0.11% | 2.02% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 2.20% | 0.02% | 2.18% |
| FIFiserv, Inc. (United States) | 2.15% | 0.04% | 2.11% |
| GNRCGenerac Holdings, Inc. | 2.12% | 0.02% | 2.10% |
| KEYSKeysight Technologies Inc. | 2.04% | 0.08% | 1.96% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 1.63% | 0.02% | 1.61% |
| FICOFair Isaac Corp. | 1.50% | 0.04% | 1.46% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 1.35% | 0.07% | 1.28% |
32.2% of SAEF is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SAEF or VOO?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or VOO?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.9% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both SAEF and VOO?
SAEF and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SAEF and VOO?
32.2% of SAEF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.0% of VOO's is in holdings SAEF also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAEF or VOO?
SAEF yields 0.33% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SAEF?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VOO over the full window. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.