SCHR — Schwab Intermediate-Term US Treasury ETF
SCHR tracks 3–10 year US Treasury bonds at an ultra-low 0.03% expense ratio, making it the cheapest intermediate-term Treasury ETF available. It competes directly with iShares' IEF at a fraction of the cost, covering the 3–10 year Treasury maturity range. SCHR provides moderate duration exposure to US government bonds with no credit risk, making it a high-quality, cost-efficient choice for the intermediate Treasury segment.
Top Holdings
Strategy
- →Use as the intermediate-duration piece of a Treasury bond ladder
- →Pair with SCHO and long-duration funds for comprehensive Treasury curve coverage
- →Hold as a moderate-duration government bond core for balanced portfolios
- →Use as a lower-cost alternative to IEF on any platform
Best For
- ✓Cost-conscious investors wanting intermediate Treasury exposure for just 0.03%
- ✓Schwab platform users building a low-cost all-ETF portfolio
- ✓Those who specifically want Treasuries (no corporate bonds) at intermediate maturities
- ✓Passive investors building a Treasury bond ladder
Key Risks
- ⚠Moderate interest rate risk with ~5–6 year duration
- ⚠No corporate yield premium — yields are lower than mixed bond ETFs
- ⚠Inflation erodes real returns on nominal bonds
- ⚠Less liquidity than comparable IEF due to smaller AUM
Similar ETFs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SCHR better than IEF?
SCHR charges 0.03% versus IEF's 0.15%. The cost difference is significant for buy-and-hold investors. Both track similar intermediate Treasury indexes. For pure cost savings, SCHR wins; for maximum liquidity, IEF may be preferred by institutional traders. This is educational content, not financial advice.
Does SCHR hold TIPS?
No, SCHR holds only nominal (non-inflation-adjusted) US Treasury bonds. For TIPS exposure, consider VTIP or SCHP. This is educational content, not financial advice.
What is the difference between SCHO and SCHR?
SCHO covers 1–3 year Treasuries (shorter duration, lower yield), while SCHR covers 3–10 year Treasuries (longer duration, higher yield). Together they provide broad Treasury coverage from short to intermediate maturities. This is educational content, not financial advice.
Does SCHR pay monthly income?
Yes, SCHR distributes monthly interest income from its intermediate-term Treasury holdings. This is educational content, not financial advice.
How does SCHR perform when interest rates rise?
Like all fixed-rate bond ETFs, SCHR declines when interest rates rise. With ~5–6 year duration, a 1% rate increase causes approximately a 5–6% price decline. This is educational content, not financial advice.
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