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FNDF vs. XEF.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FNDF vs. XEF.TO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FNDF (Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF) and XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FNDF tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net) while XEF.TO tracks the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDF returned 11.78%/yr vs 9.10%/yr for XEF.TO. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FNDF charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for XEF.TO.

Performance

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Performance Comparison

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

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Different Trading Currencies

FNDF is traded in USD, while XEF.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the XEF.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDF achieves a 17.34% return, which is significantly higher than XEF.TO's 7.03% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDF has outperformed XEF.TO with an annualized return of 11.78%, while XEF.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.10% annualized return.

FNDF

1D
0.86%
1M
-0.45%
YTD
17.34%
6M
20.48%
1Y
39.17%
3Y*
22.42%
5Y*
12.75%
10Y*
11.78%

XEF.TO

1D
0.24%
1M
-1.35%
YTD
7.03%
6M
9.68%
1Y
18.93%
3Y*
15.92%
5Y*
7.57%
10Y*
9.10%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FNDF
Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF		17.34%40.99%2.29%20.22%-7.78%14.97%3.61%18.46%-14.21%23.98%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		7.03%31.70%3.30%18.02%-14.92%10.41%8.71%20.83%-13.90%26.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDF and XEF.TO is 0.79, 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

0.79

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.74

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013

0.68

The correlation between FNDF and XEF.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.79 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FNDF
XEF.TO

Financial Services

16.7%
22.9%

Industrials

15.9%
20.5%

Energy

12.3%
4.0%

Basic Materials

11.3%
6.6%

Technology

11.1%
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

10.7%
8.2%

Consumer Defensive

6.9%
6.4%

Healthcare

5.5%
9.8%

Communication Services

4.9%
4.4%

Utilities

3.8%
3.8%

Real Estate

0.9%
3.1%

Financial Services

FNDF
16.7%
XEF.TO
22.9%

Industrials

FNDF
15.9%
XEF.TO
20.5%

Energy

FNDF
12.3%
XEF.TO
4.0%

Basic Materials

FNDF
11.3%
XEF.TO
6.6%

Technology

FNDF
11.1%
XEF.TO
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

FNDF
10.7%
XEF.TO
8.2%

Consumer Defensive

FNDF
6.9%
XEF.TO
6.4%

Healthcare

FNDF
5.5%
XEF.TO
9.8%

Communication Services

FNDF
4.9%
XEF.TO
4.4%

Utilities

FNDF
3.8%
XEF.TO
3.8%

Real Estate

FNDF
0.9%
XEF.TO
3.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF

Often compared with FNDF:
FNDF vs. SCHFFNDF vs. VXUSFNDF vs. DFIVFNDF vs. VEAFNDF vs. FIVAFNDF vs. VOOFNDF vs. AVIV
Often compared with XEF.TO:
XEF.TO vs. XEC.TOXEF.TO vs. VIU.TOXEF.TO vs. ZEA.TOXEF.TO vs. XFH.TOXEF.TO vs. IEFAXEF.TO vs. XIC.TOXEF.TO vs. XEF-U.TO

Return for Risk

FNDF vs. XEF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FNDF
FNDF Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
FNDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FNDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
FNDF Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
FNDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
FNDF Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
XEF.TO
XEF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4949
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO). 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.

FNDFXEF.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.53
1.28

+1.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.26
1.88

+1.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.24

+0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.71

1.64

+2.07

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.05

6.39

+7.66

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDF Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDF and XEF.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FNDFXEF.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.53

1.28

+1.24

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

0.51

+0.28

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.67

0.56

+0.10

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.52

0.47

+0.05

Drawdowns

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDF drawdown since its inception was -40.14%, which is greater than XEF.TO's maximum drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDF and XEF.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

FNDFXEF.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.14%

-34.33%

-5.81%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.60%

-11.58%

+0.98%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.89%

-13.93%

+0.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.56%

-31.05%

+5.49%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.14%

-34.33%

-5.81%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.84%

-2.96%

-0.88%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.64%

-7.14%

-0.50%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.80%

2.97%

-0.17%

Volatility

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) has a higher volatility of 5.97% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) at 4.24%. This indicates that FNDF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEF.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FNDFXEF.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.97%

4.24%

+1.73%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.19%

12.22%

+0.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.60%

14.83%

+0.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.28%

14.98%

+1.30%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.71%

16.23%

+1.48%

FNDF vs. XEF.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDF has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than XEF.TO's 0.23% 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. XEF.TO - Dividend Comparison

FNDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than XEF.TO's 2.23% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FNDF
Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF		2.93%3.44%4.01%3.41%3.10%3.54%2.17%3.20%3.47%2.32%2.42%2.08%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		2.23%2.43%2.76%2.75%2.93%2.42%1.93%2.71%2.75%2.11%2.45%2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

FNDF and XEF.TO have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XEF.TO is cheaper at 0.23% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XEF.TO is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FNDF.

FNDF tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net), while XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FNDF and 0.23% for XEF.TO.

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