Should Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) is a passively managed fund launched on January 13, 2011, with over $11.83 billion in assets, targeting the Mid Cap Blend segment of the U.S. equity market [1] Group 1: Investment Characteristics - Mid cap companies, with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, provide a balance of stability and growth potential, offering less risk and higher growth opportunities compared to small and large companies [2] - The ETF has an annual operating expense of 0.04%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.4% [3] Group 2: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Industrials sector, comprising about 21.1% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Consumer Discretionary [4] - Robinhood Markets Inc Class A (HOOD) represents approximately 1.51% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 6.82% of total assets under management [5] Group 3: Performance Metrics - SCHM aims to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Mid-Cap Total Stock Market Index, which includes mid-cap stocks ranked 501-1000 by market capitalization [6] - The ETF has increased by roughly 4.65% year-to-date and is up about 8.79% over the past year, with a trading range between $22.92 and $30.08 in the last 52 weeks [7] Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - SCHM holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a viable option for investors seeking exposure to the Mid Cap Blend market segment [8] - Other comparable ETFs include the Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH), with assets of $86.07 billion and $97.22 billion respectively, and expense ratios of 0.04% and 0.05% [9] Group 5: Market Trends - There is a growing trend among retail and institutional investors towards passively managed ETFs due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10]