FNDF vs. EFAV

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FNDF (Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF) and EFAV (iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FNDF tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net) while EFAV tracks the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDF returned 11.87%/yr vs 6.40%/yr for EFAV. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FNDF charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for EFAV.

Performance

FNDF vs. EFAV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) and iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDF achieves a 21.52% return, which is significantly higher than EFAV's 9.38% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDF has outperformed EFAV with an annualized return of 11.87%, while EFAV has yielded a comparatively lower 6.40% annualized return.

FNDF

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 2.05%
• 6M: 10.61%
• YTD: 21.52%
• 1Y: 39.70%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 14.22%
• 10Y*: 11.87%
• ALL TIME*: 9.15%

EFAV

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 3.71%
• 6M: 3.89%
• YTD: 9.38%
• 1Y: 14.46%
• 3Y*: 14.89%
• 5Y*: 6.71%
• 10Y*: 6.40%
• ALL TIME*: 7.25%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EFAV iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF	$59.64M	$52.66M	$46.19M
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF	$80.54M	$73.00M	$75.40M

FNDF vs. EFAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF	21.52%	40.99%	2.29%	20.22%	-7.78%	14.97%	3.61%	18.46%	-14.21%	23.98%
EFAV iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF	9.38%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-5.74%	22.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDF and EFAV is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2013	0.85

The correlation between FNDF and EFAV shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FNDF vs. EFAV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNDF	EFAV
Financial Services	20.2%	19.7%
Industrials	12.8%	15.7%
Technology	11.5%	4.4%
Energy	10.6%	7.7%
Basic Materials	10.0%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	12.6%
Healthcare	6.0%	12.2%
Utilities	4.3%	9.0%
Communication Services	3.4%	9.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	2.9%

Return for Risk

FNDF vs. EFAV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FNDF

FNDF Risk / Return Rank: 88
FNDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FNDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FNDF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FNDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FNDF Martin Ratio Rank: 84

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 48
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 48
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 41

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FNDF vs. EFAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) and iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV). 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.

	FNDF	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.38	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	1.99	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.25	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	2.18	+1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	5.06	+8.12

FNDF vs. EFAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDF Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the EFAV Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDF and EFAV, 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

FNDF vs. EFAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDF drawdown since its inception was -40.14%, which is greater than EFAV's maximum drawdown of -27.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDF and EFAV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDF	EFAV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.14%	-27.56%	-12.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.60%	-6.66%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.89%	-8.65%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.56%	-27.46%	+1.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.14%	-27.56%	-12.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-1.46%	+1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-4.76%	-2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.86%	+0.16%

Volatility

FNDF vs. EFAV - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) has a higher volatility of 4.14% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) at 2.76%. This indicates that FNDF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDF	EFAV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	2.76%	+1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.18%	8.82%	+5.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.17%	10.54%	+5.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	11.88%	+4.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.44%	13.03%	+4.41%

FNDF vs. EFAV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDF has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than EFAV's 0.20% 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

FNDF vs. EFAV - Dividend Comparison

FNDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, less than EFAV's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAV iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF	3.09%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF	3.00%	3.44%	4.01%	3.41%	3.10%	3.54%	2.17%	3.20%	3.47%	2.32%	2.42%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNDF and EFAV in my portfolio?

FNDF and EFAV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNDF or EFAV?

FNDF has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to EFAV (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDF dropped -40.14% vs EFAV's -27.56%.

Which ETF is better, FNDF or EFAV?

On 10-year performance, FNDF leads with 11.87% vs 6.40% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNDF or EFAV?

Over the 10-year period, FNDF has performed better with a 11.87% return vs 6.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNDF or EFAV?

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FNDF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNDF or EFAV?

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.09%, compared with 3.00% for FNDF.

What is the main difference between FNDF and EFAV?

FNDF tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net), while EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FNDF and 0.20% for EFAV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.38), 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.