FNDC vs. FNDX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FNDC (Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF) and FNDX (Schwab Fundamental U.S. 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 FNDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDC returned 8.64%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for FNDX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FNDC charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDX.

Performance

FNDC vs. FNDX - 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 U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDC achieves a 11.83% return, which is significantly lower than FNDX's 15.35% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDC has underperformed FNDX with an annualized return of 8.64%, while FNDX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.27% annualized return.

FNDC

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 11.83%
• 6M: 14.14%
• 1Y: 26.84%
• 3Y*: 18.52%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: 8.64%

FNDX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 3.54%
• YTD: 15.35%
• 6M: 15.57%
• 1Y: 33.72%
• 3Y*: 21.32%
• 5Y*: 12.98%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

FNDC vs. FNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	11.83%	35.65%	1.38%	14.92%	-14.71%	10.26%	6.58%	20.58%	-19.10%	29.22%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	15.35%	16.94%	16.77%	18.23%	-6.92%	31.73%	9.12%	28.65%	-7.30%	17.12%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDC and FNDX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.76

The correlation between FNDC and FNDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNDC vs. FNDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNDC	FNDX
Industrials	25.8%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	9.2%
Financial Services	11.5%	14.1%
Basic Materials	11.0%	3.7%
Technology	8.7%	19.1%
Real Estate	6.9%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	7.4%
Healthcare	4.9%	12.0%
Communication Services	4.8%	10.1%
Energy	4.6%	10.3%
Utilities	2.8%	3.2%

Return for Risk

FNDC vs. FNDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNDC

FNDC Risk / Return Rank: 55
FNDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
FNDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FNDC Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FNDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FNDC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FNDX

FNDX Risk / Return Rank: 92
FNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. FNDX - 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 U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). 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	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	3.32	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	4.64	-1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.61	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	5.59	-3.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	21.88	-12.85
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. FNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDC Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is lower than the FNDX Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDC and FNDX, 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	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	3.32	-1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.86	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.82	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.80	-0.30

Drawdowns

FNDC vs. FNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDC drawdown since its inception was -43.22%, which is greater than FNDX's maximum drawdown of -37.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDC and FNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDC	FNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.22%	-37.72%	-5.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-6.06%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.98%	-16.30%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.13%	-19.06%	-13.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-37.72%	-5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.68%	0.00%	-1.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.45%	-3.55%	-4.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	1.55%	+1.43%

Volatility

FNDC vs. FNDX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF (FNDC) has a higher volatility of 4.55% compared to Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX) at 2.15%. This indicates that FNDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDC	FNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	2.15%	+2.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	7.27%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.24%	10.22%	+4.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.97%	15.18%	+0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.80%	17.50%	-0.70%

FNDC vs. FNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDC has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNDC vs. FNDX - Dividend Comparison

FNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, more than FNDX's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	3.45%	3.86%	3.59%	2.86%	1.98%	2.58%	1.77%	2.71%	2.68%	1.94%	1.95%	1.30%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	1.44%	1.63%	1.76%	1.82%	2.07%	1.64%	2.29%	2.23%	2.40%	1.86%	2.01%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNDC and FNDX in my portfolio?

FNDC and FNDX have a correlation of 0.70, 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 FNDX?

FNDC has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to FNDX (2.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDC dropped -43.22% vs FNDX's -37.72%.

Which ETF is better, FNDC or FNDX?

On 10-year performance, FNDX leads with 14.27% vs 8.64% for FNDC. On fees, FNDX is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FNDX has been the lower-risk option at 2.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNDC or FNDX?

Over the 10-year period, FNDX has performed better with a 14.27% return vs 8.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNDC or FNDX?

FNDX is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for FNDC.

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

FNDC has the higher dividend yield at 3.45%, compared with 1.44% for FNDX.

What is the main difference between FNDC and FNDX?

FNDC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while FNDX is Large Cap Value Equities. FNDC tracks Russell RAFI Small Company Developed x US, while FNDX tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for FNDC and 0.25% for FNDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 1.90), 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.