Reviewed by Jacob Bakshi, Senior Market Strategist. Data refreshed daily. Not financial advice.
Comparative Analysis
SCHB wins this head-to-head comparison against VTI, primarily driven by its slightly superior year-to-date and longer-term growth performance, despite both ETFs sharing identical expense ratios and a similar broad market exposure. While VTI holds a larger net asset base, SCHB's marginally better returns across multiple timeframes, including a stronger 3-year and 5-year trailing return, make it the preferred choice for investors prioritizing growth. Both ETFs offer highly diversified exposure to the U.S. equity market, with significant overlap in their top sector weightings, particularly in Technology. However, SCHB's slightly more aggressive allocation within certain growth-oriented sectors and its marginally better performance metrics give it the edge. Investors seeking broad market exposure with a slight tilt towards growth should favor SCHB.
Key Differentiator
The key differentiator between VTI and SCHB, despite their near-identical expense ratios and broad market exposure, lies in their historical growth performance. SCHB has demonstrated marginally superior trailing returns over the 3-year and 5-year periods, suggesting a slightly better ability to capture market upside and translate underlying company growth into fund performance. While the difference is small, it provides a basis for favoring SCHB for investors with a growth orientation.
Joint Outlook
The outlook for both VTI and SCHB remains largely positive, contingent on continued U.S. economic expansion and a stable interest rate environment. As broad market index funds, their performance will mirror the overall trajectory of the U.S. equity market. A scenario of sustained economic growth, coupled with controlled inflation, would likely see both ETFs continue their upward trend, with SCHB potentially maintaining its slight growth edge. Conversely, a significant economic slowdown, rising inflation leading to aggressive monetary tightening, or geopolitical instability could pressure both ETFs. In such a scenario, their large-cap and technology-heavy portfolios might face headwinds. However, their diversification across thousands of companies should provide some resilience against sector-specific shocks, with SCHB's slightly better historical performance suggesting it may be better positioned to navigate challenging markets.
Price Analysis Comparison
Asset Metrics i
Asset Metrics: VTI vs SCHB
Metric
VTI
SCHB
52 Week Range
$310.40 - $385.12
$24.28 - $30.15
Prev. Close
$376.88
$29.50
Net Assets
2.32T
44.43B
24h Volume
24.23K
691.76K
Valuation comparison between VTI and SCHB reveals a near-identical picture due to their similar investment objectives and broad market exposure. Both ETFs track large-cap U.S. equities, meaning their underlying valuation metrics are largely dictated by the market as a whole. Their expense ratios are identical at 0.03%, meaning the cost of holding either ETF is the same, at $3.00 per $10,000 invested. This parity in cost further reduces any valuation-based differentiation between the two.
Market Performance i
Market Performance: VTI vs SCHB
Metric
VTI
SCHB
Volatility (30D, annualized)
10.74%
10.78%
24h Range
$374.46 - $378.00
$29.31 - $29.59
Market Strength (RSI)
45.4
48.1
Trend (SMA 50)
Bearish
Bearish
Both assets exhibit similar volatility levels (~11%). Market momentum is currently Bearish for both.
Technical Indicators
Technical indicators: VTI vs SCHB
Indicator
VTI
SCHB
RSI (14)
45.37
48.12
50-Day MA
$378.48
$29.63
200-Day MA
$357.35
$27.97
Technically, both VTI and SCHB are currently showing neutral momentum, with RSI values below 50 (VTI at 45.37, SCHB at 48.12). They are also trading below their 20-day and 50-day simple moving averages, indicating short-term weakness. VTI's 50-day SMA is at $378.48, while its current price is $377.54, and SCHB's 50-day SMA is at $29.63, with its price at $29.55. However, both ETFs remain comfortably above their respective 200-day moving averages (VTI at $357.35, SCHB at $27.97), suggesting that the longer-term uptrend remains intact. The MACD values are positive but small (VTI at 0.58, SCHB at 0.06), indicating a lack of strong directional conviction. Stochastic levels are in the lower range (VTI at 30.28, SCHB at 41.57), suggesting potential for a bounce but not yet indicating oversold conditions that would signal a strong reversal.
AI Analyst Sentiment
AI rating: CleaRank Financial AI's overall score for each asset, the same score shown on its own analysis page. It combines price trend and momentum with valuation, analyst and insider data where they exist.
VTI
Buy
AI Score: 75/100
SCHB
Buy
AI Score: 70/100
Sentiment for both VTI and SCHB is neutral, as indicated by the absence of analyst ratings and price targets for these broad market ETFs. Their performance is driven by overall market sentiment and macroeconomic factors rather than specific company-level analyst coverage. The technical indicators, such as RSI and MACD, also reflect a lack of strong bullish or bearish sentiment at this time. Investor sentiment towards these ETFs is likely tied to broader market trends and economic outlooks. Given their similar holdings and objectives, any shifts in sentiment are expected to affect them in a comparable manner, with SCHB's slightly better recent performance potentially attracting a marginally more positive sentiment among growth-focused investors.
Note: While VTI has the higher AI score (Buy 75/100), the AI comparative analysis favors SCHB (Buy 70/100) based on its overall trend structure, fundamentals, and risk-adjusted outlook.
Risk Stratification i
Risk metrics: VTI vs SCHB
Metric
VTI
SCHB
Sharpe Ratio
0.89
0.92
The primary risk for both VTI and SCHB lies in broad market downturns, as they hold a diversified basket of U.S. equities. A significant economic recession or a major geopolitical event could lead to substantial declines in their net asset values. Given their heavy concentration in technology stocks (VTI at 36.37%, SCHB at 38.14%), any adverse developments impacting the tech sector, such as increased regulation or slowing innovation, pose a specific risk. While SCHB has shown slightly better growth performance, this could also imply a slightly higher sensitivity to growth-oriented market segments that may be more volatile. VTI, with its larger net assets, might offer slightly better liquidity, though this is unlikely to be a significant differentiating factor for most investors. Both ETFs are subject to interest rate risk, as rising rates can negatively impact equity valuations.
Comparative ProTips
Consider SCHB if prioritizing slightly stronger historical growth performance over the medium-to-long term.
Given the identical expense ratios and similar sector exposures, the choice between VTI and SCHB largely comes down to marginal performance differences and investor preference for fund family.
Monitor the technology sector's performance closely, as it represents a significant portion of both ETFs' holdings and can disproportionately influence their returns.
Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)
Simulated growth of $10,000 in each asset, from its own historical volatility and trend. Statistical outcomes, not forecasts.
Actionable Trade Plans
Compare entry, exit, and risk management levels for both assets
Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative3%Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
VTI
Current: $377.54
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$358.66
Aggressive
$377.54
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$347.90
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$396.42
+10% from current
$415.29
+15% from current
$434.17
SCHB
Current: $29.55
ENTRY ZONES
Conservative
$28.07
Aggressive
$29.55
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$27.23
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
This comparison involves assets with varying risk profiles. The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Past correlation does not guarantee future lockstep movement. Trading involves risk of loss.
Note: The AI favored SCHB based on growth trajectory. This is valid for the specified timeframe only. While VTI currently shows the stronger short-term technical score (75 vs 70), the AI favors SCHB on the factors above rather than today's technical setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ETF offers a lower expense ratio, VTI or SCHB?+
Both VTI and SCHB have identical expense ratios of 0.03%, translating to a cost of $3.00 per $10,000 invested. Neither ETF offers a cost advantage over the other.
How do VTI and SCHB compare in terms of sector exposure?+
Both ETFs have highly similar sector exposures, with Technology, Financial Services, and Healthcare being the top allocations. VTI has 36.37% in Technology, while SCHB has 38.14%, indicating a slightly greater concentration in tech for SCHB.
What is the dividend yield for VTI and SCHB?+
Both VTI and SCHB offer very similar dividend yields. VTI's yield is approximately 1.05%, and SCHB's yield is also around 1.04%.
How do the net assets of VTI and SCHB compare?+
VTI has significantly larger net assets under management, with over $2.32 trillion, compared to SCHB's approximately $44.4 billion. This suggests VTI has broader investor adoption.
How have VTI and SCHB performed over the past year?+
Over the 12 months to October 15, 2026, VTI's price rose 14.5% and SCHB's rose 15.0%. These are price changes; dividends are not included.
Which is more volatile, VTI or SCHB?+
They have been about equally volatile. Over the 30 days to October 15, 2026, VTI's annualized volatility was 10.7% and SCHB's 10.8%, measured from daily closing prices.