SCHQ vs VTI
Schwab Long-Term US Treasury ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SCHQ or VTI?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SCHQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $873M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 100 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.46% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.36% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +0.79% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -6.91% | +11.77%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 17.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,991 | $17,443Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 10, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2019 to Sep 3, 2026 (6.9 years).
SCHQ vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 6.9 years both funds cover.
SCHQ vs VTI Performance
Schwab Long-Term US Treasury ETF (SCHQ) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHQ returned -0.36% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, SCHQ is down 2.46% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, SCHQ compounded at +0.79% per year against +21.10% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -6.91% and +11.77% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.85% annualized vs -4.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 13.4% for SCHQ. 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 -46.7% for SCHQ and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHQ charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SCHQ currently yields 4.91% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 92 holdings in SCHQ and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 88.9% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in SCHQ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 100 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHQ and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SCHQ or VTI?
SCHQ has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SCHQ or VTI?
Over the past year SCHQ returned -0.36% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), SCHQ annualized -4.35% vs +15.85% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHQ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 13.4% for SCHQ. Worst drawdown: SCHQ -46.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SCHQ and VTI?
SCHQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHQ or VTI?
SCHQ yields 4.91% while VTI yields 1.07%, so SCHQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SCHQ?
VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.