The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) and the Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. VNQ is a Vanguard Real Estate fund and SCHX is a Schwab ETFs Large Blend fund. So, what’s the difference between VNQ and SCHX? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of VNQ is 0.09 percentage points higher than SCHX’s (0.12% vs. 0.03%). VNQ also has a higher exposure to the real estate sector and a higher standard deviation. Overall, VNQ has provided lower returns than SCHX over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare VNQ vs. SCHX. We’ll look at annual returns and holdings, as well as at their performance and fund composition. Moreover, I’ll also discuss VNQ’s and SCHX’s industry exposure, risk metrics, and portfolio growth and examine how these affect their overall returns.
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Summary
| VNQ | SCHX | |
| Name | Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares | Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF |
| Category | Real Estate | Large Blend |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Schwab ETFs |
| AUM | 77.34B | 30.89B |
| Avg. Return | 11.05% | 14.60% |
| Div. Yield | 2.34% | 1.41% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03% |
The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) is a Real Estate fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 77.34B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 11.05% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 2.34% with an expense ratio of 0.12%.
The Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is a Large Blend fund that is issued by Schwab ETFs. It currently has 30.89B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 14.60% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.41% with an expense ratio of 0.03%.
VNQ’s dividend yield is 0.93% higher than that of SCHX (2.34% vs. 1.41%). Also, VNQ yielded on average 3.55% less per year over the past decade (11.05% vs. 14.60%). The expense ratio of VNQ is 0.09 percentage points higher than SCHX’s (0.12% vs. 0.03%).
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Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| VNQ | SCHX | |
| Technology | 0.0% | 25.13% |
| Industrials | 0.0% | 8.65% |
| Energy | 0.0% | 2.72% |
| Communication Services | 0.0% | 11.26% |
| Utilities | 0.0% | 2.37% |
| Healthcare | 0.0% | 13.04% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.0% | 5.97% |
| Real Estate | 100.0% | 3.13% |
| Financial Services | 0.0% | 13.82% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 0.0% | 11.63% |
| Basic Materials | 0.0% | 2.28% |
The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) has the most exposure to the Real Estate sector at 100.0%. This is followed by Technology and Industrials at 0.0% and 0.0% respectively. Consumer Cyclical (0.0%), Financial Services (0.0%), and Consumer Defensive (0.0%) only make up 0.00% of the fund’s total assets.
VNQ’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Healthcare, Utilities, Communication Services, Energy, and Industrials stocks at 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%.
The Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 25.13%. This is followed by Financial Services and Healthcare at 13.82% and 13.04% respectively. Utilities (2.37%), Energy (2.72%), and Real Estate (3.13%) only make up 8.22% of the fund’s total assets.
SCHX’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Consumer Defensive, Industrials, Communication Services, Consumer Cyclical, and Healthcare stocks at 5.97%, 8.65%, 11.26%, 11.63%, and 13.04%.
VNQ is 96.87% more exposed to the Real Estate sector than SCHX (100.0% vs 3.13%). VNQ’s exposure to Technology and Industrials stocks is 25.13% lower and 8.65% lower respectively (0.0% vs. 25.13% and 0.0% vs. 8.65%). In total, Consumer Cyclical, Financial Services, and Consumer Defensive also make up 31.42% less of the fund’s holdings compared to SCHX (0.00% vs. 31.42%).
Holdings
| VNQ Holdings | Weight |
| Vanguard Real Estate II Index | 11.62% |
| American Tower Corp | 7.24% |
| Prologis Inc | 5.33% |
| Crown Castle International Corp | 5.01% |
| Equinix Inc | 4.3% |
| Public Storage | 2.85% |
| Simon Property Group Inc | 2.52% |
| Digital Realty Trust Inc | 2.49% |
| SBA Communications Corp | 2.1% |
| Welltower Inc | 2.09% |
VNQ’s Top Holdings are Vanguard Real Estate II Index, American Tower Corp, Prologis Inc, Crown Castle International Corp, and Equinix Inc at 11.62%, 7.24%, 5.33%, 5.01%, and 4.3%.
Public Storage (2.85%), Simon Property Group Inc (2.52%), and Digital Realty Trust Inc (2.49%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. SBA Communications Corp and Welltower Inc are also represented in the VNQ’s holdings at 2.1% and 2.09%.
| SCHX Holdings | Weight |
| Apple Inc | 5.37% |
| Microsoft Corp | 5.1% |
| Amazon.com Inc | 3.69% |
| Facebook Inc A | 2.08% |
| Alphabet Inc A | 1.84% |
| Alphabet Inc Class C | 1.78% |
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B | 1.32% |
| Tesla Inc | 1.31% |
| NVIDIA Corp | 1.25% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co | 1.18% |
SCHX’s Top Holdings are Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc A, and Alphabet Inc A at 5.37%, 5.1%, 3.69%, 2.08%, and 1.84%.
Alphabet Inc Class C (1.78%), Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B (1.32%), and Tesla Inc (1.31%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. NVIDIA Corp and JPMorgan Chase & Co are also represented in the SCHX’s holdings at 1.25% and 1.18%.
Risk Analysis
| VNQ | SCHX | |
| Mean Return | 0.89 | 1.24 |
| R-squared | 44.4 | 99.83 |
| Std. Deviation | 16.13 | 13.8 |
| Alpha | 2.47 | -0.14 |
| Beta | 0.76 | 1.02 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.62 | 1.03 |
| Treynor Ratio | 11.9 | 14.06 |
The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) has a Mean Return of 0.89 with a Treynor Ratio of 11.9 and a Beta of 0.76. Its Alpha is 2.47 while VNQ’s Standard Deviation is 16.13. Furthermore, the fund has a R-squared of 44.4 and a Sharpe Ratio of 0.62.
The Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) has a Mean Return of 1.24 with a Beta of 1.02 and a Treynor Ratio of 14.06. Its Standard Deviation is 13.8 while SCHX’s Alpha is -0.14. Furthermore, the fund has a Sharpe Ratio of 1.03 and a R-squared of 99.83.
VNQ’s Mean Return is 0.35 points lower than that of SCHX and its R-squared is 55.43 points lower. With a Standard Deviation of 16.13, VNQ is slightly more volatile than SCHX. The Alpha and Beta of VNQ are 2.61 points higher and 0.26 points lower than SCHX’s Alpha and Beta.
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Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | VNQ | SCHX |
| 2020 | -4.72% | 20.9% |
| 2019 | 28.91% | 31.4% |
| 2018 | -5.95% | -4.52% |
| 2017 | 4.95% | 21.91% |
| 2016 | 8.53% | 11.78% |
| 2015 | 2.37% | 1.02% |
| 2014 | 30.29% | 13.33% |
| 2013 | 2.42% | 32.54% |
| 2012 | 17.67% | 16.06% |
| 2011 | 8.62% | 1.61% |
| 2010 | 28.44% | 15.88% |
VNQ had its best year in 2014 with an annual return of 30.29%. VNQ’s worst year over the past decade yielded -5.95% and occurred in 2018. In most years the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares provided moderate returns such as in 2017, 2016, and 2011 where annual returns amounted to 4.95%, 8.53%, and 8.62% respectively.
The year 2013 was the strongest year for SCHX, returning 32.54% on an annual basis. The poorest year for SCHX in the last ten years was 2018, with a yield of -4.52%. Most years the Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF has given investors modest returns, such as in 2014, 2010, and 2012, when gains were 13.33%, 15.88%, and 16.06% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| VNQ | $10,000 | $22,973 | 11.05% |
| SCHX | $10,000 | $36,987 | 14.60% |
A $10,000 investment in VNQ would have resulted in a final balance of $22,973. This is a profit of $12,973 over 10 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.05%.
With a $10,000 investment in SCHX, the end total would have been $36,987. This equates to a $26,987 profit over 10 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.60%.
VNQ’s CAGR is 3.55 percentage points lower than that of SCHX and as a result, would have yielded $14,014 less on a $10,000 investment. Thus, VNQ performed worse than SCHX by 3.55% annually.
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