FNDC vs. FNDE

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FNDC (Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF) and FNDE (Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNDC is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the Russell RAFI Small Company Developed x US, while FNDE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Russell Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDC returned 8.59%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for FNDE. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.39% expense ratio.

Performance

FNDC vs. FNDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF (FNDC) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF (FNDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDC achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly lower than FNDE's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDC has underperformed FNDE with an annualized return of 8.59%, while FNDE has yielded a comparatively higher 10.89% annualized return.

FNDC

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -4.11%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 11.32%
• 1Y: 23.62%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

FNDE

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -3.22%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 12.71%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: 10.89%

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

FNDC vs. FNDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	9.07%	35.65%	1.38%	14.92%	-14.71%	10.26%	6.58%	20.58%	-19.10%	29.22%
FNDE Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF	11.54%	29.46%	12.10%	14.99%	-15.58%	14.41%	-2.77%	19.75%	-10.37%	26.77%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDC and FNDE is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.76

The correlation between FNDC and FNDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNDC vs. FNDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNDC	FNDE
Industrials	25.8%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	9.5%
Financial Services	11.5%	23.8%
Basic Materials	11.0%	13.6%
Technology	8.7%	18.7%
Real Estate	6.9%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	3.1%
Healthcare	4.9%	0.5%
Communication Services	4.8%	6.6%
Energy	4.6%	15.5%
Utilities	2.8%	2.5%

Return for Risk

FNDC vs. FNDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNDC

FNDC Risk / Return Rank: 51
FNDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FNDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FNDC Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FNDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FNDC Martin Ratio Rank: 51

FNDE

FNDE Risk / Return Rank: 66
FNDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
FNDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
FNDE Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FNDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FNDE Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

FNDC vs. FNDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF (FNDC) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF (FNDE). 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.

	FNDC	FNDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.98	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	2.63	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.36	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.99	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.87	11.12	-3.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNDC vs. FNDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDC Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the FNDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDC and FNDE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FNDC	FNDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.98	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.53	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.57	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.36	+0.13

Drawdowns

FNDC vs. FNDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDC drawdown since its inception was -43.22%, roughly equal to the maximum FNDE drawdown of -43.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDC and FNDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDC	FNDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.22%	-43.55%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-10.23%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.98%	-18.40%	+5.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.13%	-29.44%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-39.93%	-3.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.11%	-5.03%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.44%	-11.70%	+3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.74%	+0.27%

Volatility

FNDC vs. FNDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF (FNDC) is 4.98%, while Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF (FNDE) has a volatility of 5.93%. This indicates that FNDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FNDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDC	FNDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	5.93%	-0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.15%	12.87%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	15.47%	-0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.03%	16.98%	-0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	19.32%	-2.49%

FNDC vs. FNDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FNDC and FNDE have an expense ratio of 0.39%.

Dividends

FNDC vs. FNDE - Dividend Comparison

FNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.54%, less than FNDE's 3.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	3.54%	3.86%	3.59%	2.86%	1.98%	2.58%	1.77%	2.71%	2.68%	1.94%	1.95%	1.30%
FNDE Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index ETF	3.75%	4.19%	4.82%	4.74%	5.59%	4.32%	2.50%	3.47%	2.98%	2.05%	1.65%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNDC and FNDE in my portfolio?

FNDC and FNDE have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNDC or FNDE?

FNDE has higher volatility (5.93%) compared to FNDC (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDC dropped -43.22% vs FNDE's -43.55%.

Which ETF is better, FNDC or FNDE?

On 10-year performance, FNDE leads with 10.89% vs 8.59% for FNDC. Both ETFs have the same 0.39% expense ratio. On volatility, FNDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNDC or FNDE?

Over the 10-year period, FNDE has performed better with a 10.89% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNDC or FNDE?

FNDC and FNDE have the same expense ratio: 0.39% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNDC or FNDE?

FNDE has the higher dividend yield at 3.75%, compared with 3.54% for FNDC.

What is the main difference between FNDC and FNDE?

FNDC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while FNDE is Emerging Markets Equities. FNDC tracks Russell RAFI Small Company Developed x US, while FNDE tracks Russell Fundamental Emerging Markets Large Company Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.63), 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.