The Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF has delivered robust returns so far in 2025, benefitting from attractive current yields and capital gains amid falling interest rates. Looking ahead to 2026, I see room for further gains, as Fed rate cuts should more than offset a small acceleration in U.S. economic momentum. SCHQ may also provide trading opportunities for more proactive investors, as was the case in April 2025.
SCHQ's fund price has stabilized but remains rangebound due to the Federal Reserve's cautious rate cut approach amidst high U.S. government debt. The Federal Reserve's slow rate cuts, driven by high U.S. debt and potential inflation, limit SCHQ's capital appreciation prospects. Rising U.S. government debt and potential increased spending under the new administration will likely keep interest rates elevated.
Investors took refuge in short-term Treasury bonds throughout 2023, where they reaped the rewards of higher-yielding money markets. Meanwhile, longer duration Treasuries have been mired in a bear market since 2020 but could finally start to see a reversal of fortune.
| XMUN Exchange | US Country |
The fund is dedicated to investing in a specific range of U.S. Treasury securities, aiming to follow the performance of its chosen index closely. This index is comprised solely of U.S. Treasury securities that have a minimum remaining maturity of ten years, hold an investment-grade rating, and possess a substantial outstanding face value of $300 million or more. Adhering to a stringent investment strategy, the fund commits to allocate at least 90% of its net assets, which includes any borrowed capital for investment purposes, into the securities that are part of the index, ensuring a focused approach towards achieving its investment goal.
This service primarily involves the acquisition and management of U.S. Treasury securities that meet specific criteria: a minimum of ten years remaining until maturity, holding an investment-grade rating, and having at least $300 million in outstanding face value. Such a focused investment approach seeks to capitalize on the stability and reliability of these government-issued bonds.
The core of the fund's investment strategy is to closely follow the performance of its selected index. By investing at least 90% of its net assets into securities present within the index, the fund aims to ensure that its portfolio mirrors the index's composition and performance, subject to the fund's stated investment parameters. This disciplined approach facilitates a targeted investment strategy, striving for alignment with the index's returns.