Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Schwab • U.S. Large-Cap Growth
Expense Ratio
0.04%
AUM
$30.0B
Dividend Yield
0.50%
Inception
2009
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF?
SCHG focuses on large-cap U.S. growth stocks, companies that are expected to increase their earnings faster than the overall market. It holds about 250 stocks and is heavily tilted toward technology and consumer discretionary sectors. For beginners who believe in the long-term potential of innovative, fast-growing companies, SCHG provides that exposure at an extremely low cost.
SCHG is managed by Schwab and has been available since 2009. With $30.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.04%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $4 per year in management fees.
SCHG at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% |
| Total Holdings | 250 |
| P/E Ratio | 35.2 |
| Beta | 1.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.50% |
| AUM | $30.0B |
| Inception Year | 2009 |
| Issuer | Schwab |
Top 10 Holdings in SCHG
SCHG holds 250 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | AAPL | 12.00% |
| 2 | Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | 11.00% |
| 3 | NVIDIA Corp. | NVDA | 10.50% |
| 4 | Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | 6.50% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms Inc. | META | 4.50% |
| 6 | Alphabet Inc. Class A | GOOGL | 3.50% |
| 7 | Alphabet Inc. Class C | GOOG | 3.20% |
| 8 | Broadcom Inc. | AVGO | 3.00% |
| 9 | Tesla Inc. | TSLA | 2.80% |
| 10 | Eli Lilly and Co. | LLY | 2.20% |
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SCHG Performance History
Here's how SCHG has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
3.80%
1 Year
33.50%
3 Year
13.50%
5 Year
19.50%
10 Year
17.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
SCHG scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 250 holdings, and has been available since 2009, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy SCHG — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "SCHG" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into SCHG
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With SCHG's expense ratio of 0.04%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $344 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of SCHG
Pros
- ✓Extremely low 0.04% expense ratio for a growth-focused ETF
- ✓Strong exposure to America's most innovative and fast-growing companies
- ✓Historically outperformed blend and value funds during growth-led markets
- ✓Concentrated portfolio of roughly 250 stocks provides focused growth exposure
Cons
- ✗Very high concentration in technology sector creates significant sector risk
- ✗Higher volatility and larger drawdowns than broad market ETFs during downturns
- ✗Minimal dividend yield makes it unsuitable for income-focused investors
SCHG vs Similar ETFs
See how SCHG stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SCHG a good ETF for beginners?▾
SCHG has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of SCHG?▾
SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $4 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in SCHG?▾
You can invest in SCHG with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does SCHG pay dividends?▾
Yes, SCHG pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.50%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in SCHG?▾
The top holdings in SCHG include Apple Inc. (12.00%), Microsoft Corp. (11.00%), NVIDIA Corp. (10.50%), and more. The fund holds 250 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.