Overview
- Newest installment compares Vanguard’s VGSH and Schwab’s SCHO, which both charge 0.03% and hold similar short‑term Treasuries, with minor differences in yield, volatility, and assets under management.
- Across the guides, ultra‑low fees from Vanguard and Schwab frequently contrast with higher iShares pricing, exemplified by 0.03% for VEA or SCHF versus 0.32% for ACWX and 0.72% for EEM.
- Market scope varies widely: AGG spans the total U.S. investment‑grade bond market with roughly 13,000 holdings while VCIT focuses on intermediate‑term corporates, and equity choices range from developed‑only funds to emerging‑markets and global blends like VT.
- Divergent income and return profiles stand out, such as VCIT’s higher yield versus AGG’s broader mix and smaller drawdown, and developed‑only SPDW delivering lower fees and a slightly higher yield than ACWX’s broader non‑U.S. remit.
- Risk metrics and concentration differ meaningfully, with mega‑cap growth funds like MGK showing heavier tech weight and deeper drawdowns than broader options like VOOG, while small‑cap growth and Russell 2000 exposure carry higher volatility.