Generated October 17, 2026.
Overview
FTEC and SCHG are both large-cap U.S. equity ETFs that track modified market-cap-weighted indexes, but they differ in sector focus and growth orientation. FTEC concentrates solely on information technology through the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology Index, while SCHG holds the 750 largest U.S. growth stocks across all sectors via the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index. The choice between them hinges on whether you want pure tech exposure or diversified growth exposure.
How they differ
The biggest difference is scope: FTEC is a sector-specific bet on technology, while SCHG is a broad large-cap growth fund. This means FTEC's returns rise and fall with tech's fortunes alone, whereas SCHG's performance reflects growth dynamics across the entire market—healthcare, financials, industrials, and other sectors alongside technology.
Second, SCHG is substantially larger, with $63.0B in assets versus $22.1B for FTEC, and carries a lower expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.084%. Both are cheap in absolute terms, but the gap is 0.04% basis points in SCHG's favor.
Third, FTEC exhibits higher beta—1.44 versus 1.22—reflecting greater volatility relative to the broader market. This makes sense: tech stocks swing harder than the diversified growth universe.
Who each is best for
FTEC: Fits investors with a multi-year horizon who believe information technology will drive returns and are comfortable with concentrated sector exposure. Works well as part of a broader portfolio where technology is deliberately overweighted.
SCHG: Designed for investors seeking large-cap growth exposure without sector concentration. Suits those who prefer diversification across growth-oriented names in any industry and want lower fees with a larger, more established fund.
Key risks to know
- Sector concentration (FTEC). Holding only technology means FTEC's value depends entirely on how the sector performs. A sustained tech downturn—whether from regulatory pressure, earnings disappointment, or rotation into other areas—directly impacts returns with no offsetting strength elsewhere in the portfolio.
- Valuation sensitivity. Both funds hold growth stocks that are sensitive to rising interest rates and shifting market sentiment around future earnings. Higher discount rates tend to pressure valuations in both portfolios.
- Beta and volatility (FTEC). FTEC's 1.44 beta indicates it swings about 44% more sharply than the market in both directions. Investors with low risk tolerance or short time horizons may find that amplified volatility difficult to manage.
- Technology sector cyclicality. FTEC's exposure means it is vulnerable to cyclical downturns specific to tech—supply constraints, semiconductor cycles, or shifts in spending on software and hardware that don't affect broader growth equities the same way.
Bottom line
If you want pure-play technology exposure and can tolerate higher volatility, FTEC's tight focus and low cost deliver that strategy. If you prefer diversified large-cap growth without sector betting, SCHG's larger asset base, lower fees, and cross-sector holdings offer a smoother ride. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results, and both funds' returns will depend on how growth stocks perform relative to the rest of the market over your holding period.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.