IGIFX vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGIFX (American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. IGIFX is actively managed, while SCHF is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGIFX returned 9.59%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for SCHF. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGIFX charges 0.93%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGIFX achieves a 13.38% return, which is significantly lower than SCHF's 15.56% return. Over the past 10 years, IGIFX has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 9.59%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

IGIFX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 13.38%
• 6M: 16.05%
• 1Y: 30.25%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 8.60%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

SCHF

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 5.91%
• YTD: 15.56%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 32.67%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 9.84%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGIFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1	13.38%	35.05%	3.30%	15.22%	-15.49%	9.79%	7.78%	27.09%	-14.43%	26.04%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	15.56%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between IGIFX and SCHF is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009	0.94

The correlation between IGIFX and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGIFX vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGIFX

IGIFX Risk / Return Rank: 55
IGIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IGIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IGIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IGIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
IGIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 59
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). 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.

	IGIFX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.09	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	2.87	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.37	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.86	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	11.11	-0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGIFX and SCHF, 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

	IGIFX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.09	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.60	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.44	+0.04

Drawdowns

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGIFX drawdown since its inception was -35.79%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHF drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGIFX and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGIFX	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.79%	-34.87%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.92%	-11.48%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.60%	-13.41%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.60%	-29.14%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.79%	-34.87%	-0.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.86%	+0.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-7.38%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.95%	-0.06%

Volatility

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) is 4.79%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that IGIFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGIFX	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	5.66%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.05%	13.34%	-2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.14%	15.74%	-2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.60%	16.39%	-1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.91%	17.18%	-1.27%

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGIFX has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGIFX vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

IGIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.23%, more than SCHF's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGIFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1	7.23%	8.10%	3.32%	2.28%	3.96%	6.88%	1.38%	2.38%	2.72%	1.80%	2.19%	3.20%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	2.96%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGIFX and SCHF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IGIFX and SCHF 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, IGIFX or SCHF?

SCHF has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to IGIFX (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGIFX dropped -35.79% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.09), 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.