AFMFX vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AFMFX (American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both funds - AFMFX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by American Funds, while SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Over the past 5 years, AFMFX returned 10.24%/yr vs 9.76%/yr for SCHF. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFMFX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3 (AFMFX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFMFX achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly lower than SCHF's 15.39% return.

AFMFX

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: 1.66%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 15.90%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 10.24%
• 10Y*: —

SCHF

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 15.39%
• 6M: 17.24%
• 1Y: 30.20%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 10.82%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFMFX American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3	6.65%	16.43%	15.30%	9.77%	-4.19%	23.64%	5.04%	21.90%	-1.98%	11.75%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	15.39%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	17.14%

Correlation

The correlation between AFMFX and SCHF is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2017	0.78

The correlation between AFMFX and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFMFX vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFMFX

AFMFX Risk / Return Rank: 51
AFMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AFMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
AFMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
AFMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AFMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 63
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3 (AFMFX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFMFX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.82	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.52	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	2.64	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.43	10.14	-1.71

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFMFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFMFX and SCHF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFMFX drawdown since its inception was -29.79%, smaller than the maximum SCHF drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFMFX and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFMFX	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.79%	-34.87%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.90%	-11.48%	+3.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.91%	-13.41%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.16%	-29.14%	+13.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-1.00%	+0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-7.37%	+4.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.99%	-1.02%

Volatility

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3 (AFMFX) is 2.81%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 6.91%. This indicates that AFMFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFMFX	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	6.91%	-4.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.51%	14.42%	-6.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.70%	16.67%	-6.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.53%	16.56%	-4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.49%	17.24%	-2.75%

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFMFX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AFMFX vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

AFMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.99%, more than SCHF's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFMFX American Funds American Mutual Fund Class F-3	6.99%	7.86%	6.60%	4.06%	5.20%	3.58%	2.22%	4.89%	6.75%	6.25%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	2.96%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFMFX and SCHF in my portfolio?

AFMFX and SCHF have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFMFX or SCHF?

SCHF has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to AFMFX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFMFX dropped -29.79% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.71), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.