FNDC vs. SFILX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNDC (Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF) and SFILX (Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds from Charles Schwab. Over the past 10 years, FNDC returned 8.66%/yr vs 8.44%/yr for SFILX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.39% expense ratio.

Performance

FNDC vs. SFILX - 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 International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FNDC having a 11.36% return and SFILX slightly higher at 11.83%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FNDC having a 8.66% annualized return and SFILX not far behind at 8.44%.

FNDC

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 1.12%
• YTD: 11.36%
• 6M: 13.51%
• 1Y: 27.62%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 7.17%
• 10Y*: 8.66%

SFILX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 11.83%
• 6M: 14.41%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 8.44%

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

FNDC vs. SFILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	11.36%	35.65%	1.38%	14.92%	-14.71%	10.26%	6.58%	20.58%	-19.10%	29.22%
SFILX Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund	11.83%	36.17%	1.29%	14.80%	-14.89%	9.69%	7.50%	19.58%	-18.67%	26.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDC and SFILX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.96

The correlation between FNDC and SFILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FNDC vs. SFILX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNDC

FNDC Risk / Return Rank: 54
FNDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
FNDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FNDC Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FNDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FNDC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

SFILX

SFILX Risk / Return Rank: 47
SFILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SFILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SFILX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SFILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SFILX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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. SFILX - 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 International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX). 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	SFILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.10	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.93	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.45	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.29	9.10	+0.19
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. SFILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDC Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the SFILX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDC and SFILX, 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	SFILX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	2.10	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.50	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.52	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.60	-0.10

Drawdowns

FNDC vs. SFILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDC drawdown since its inception was -43.22%, roughly equal to the maximum SFILX drawdown of -43.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDC and SFILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDC	SFILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.22%	-43.13%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-11.35%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.98%	-13.05%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.13%	-32.29%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-43.13%	-0.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.09%	-1.37%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.45%	-8.19%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	3.06%	-0.08%

Volatility

FNDC vs. SFILX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF (FNDC) has a higher volatility of 4.67% compared to Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX) at 3.73%. This indicates that FNDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDC	SFILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	3.73%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	10.59%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.26%	13.32%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.98%	15.27%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.80%	16.15%	+0.65%

FNDC vs. SFILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FNDC vs. SFILX - Dividend Comparison

FNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, less than SFILX's 7.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDC Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF	3.46%	3.86%	3.59%	2.86%	1.98%	2.58%	1.77%	2.71%	2.68%	1.94%	1.95%	1.30%
SFILX Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund	7.52%	8.41%	4.71%	3.11%	4.88%	6.00%	1.98%	2.78%	5.77%	1.41%	2.45%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNDC and SFILX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, FNDC and SFILX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FNDC or SFILX?

FNDC has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to SFILX (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDC dropped -43.22% vs SFILX's -43.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFILX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.95), 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.