Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) is a mutual fund from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class (VFIAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SWPPX returned -79.56% while VFIAX returned +22.59%. Year to date, SWPPX is up 13.32% versus a gain of 12.63% for VFIAX.

Over three years, SWPPX compounded at -34.21% per year against +19.59% for VFIAX; over five years the annualized figures are -21.90% and +11.76% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, VFIAX has the edge at +11.76% annualized vs -21.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

SWPPX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.5% compared with 15.7% for VFIAX. 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 -83.7% for SWPPX and -25.4% for VFIAX. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

SWPPX charges 0.02% per year while VFIAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $2 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SWPPX currently yields 1.01% against 1.28% for VFIAX.