LPLA vs. SCHC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LPLA (LPL Financial Holdings Inc.) is a stock, while SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Custom Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid Net of Tax (Lux). Over the past 10 years, LPLA returned 28.29%/yr vs 8.04%/yr for SCHC. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LPLA vs. SCHC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) and Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LPLA achieves a -18.13% return, which is significantly lower than SCHC's 10.32% return. Over the past 10 years, LPLA has outperformed SCHC with an annualized return of 28.29%, while SCHC has yielded a comparatively lower 8.04% annualized return.

LPLA

• 1D: 3.24%
• 1M: -10.82%
• YTD: -18.13%
• 6M: -20.79%
• 1Y: -22.15%
• 3Y*: 13.91%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 28.29%

SCHC

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 10.32%
• 6M: 12.79%
• 1Y: 27.41%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: 6.34%
• 10Y*: 8.04%

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

LPLA vs. SCHC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LPLA LPL Financial Holdings Inc.	-18.13%	9.76%	44.12%	5.88%	35.69%	54.63%	14.58%	52.95%	8.53%	66.03%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	10.32%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-18.60%	29.42%

Correlation

The correlation between LPLA and SCHC is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2010	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between LPLA and SCHC has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LPLA vs. SCHC — Risk / Return Rank

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

LPLA

LPLA Risk / Return Rank: 15
LPLA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
LPLA Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
LPLA Omega Ratio Rank: 17
LPLA Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
LPLA Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 50
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

LPLA vs. SCHC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) and Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC). 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.

	LPLA	SCHC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.62	1.78	-2.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	2.46	-3.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.32	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.67	2.21	-2.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.42	8.39	-9.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LPLA vs. SCHC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LPLA Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is lower than the SCHC Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LPLA and SCHC, 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

	LPLA	SCHC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.62	1.78	-2.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.36	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.45	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.40	+0.07

Drawdowns

LPLA vs. SCHC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LPLA drawdown since its inception was -69.32%, which is greater than SCHC's maximum drawdown of -43.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LPLA and SCHC.

Drawdown Indicators

	LPLA	SCHC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.32%	-43.94%	-25.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.12%	-12.48%	-20.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.18%	-15.52%	-17.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.18%	-36.48%	+3.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.34%	-43.94%	-16.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.59%	-2.54%	-24.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-10.05%	-3.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.64%	3.28%	+12.36%

Volatility

LPLA vs. SCHC - Volatility Comparison

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) has a higher volatility of 11.40% compared to Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) at 4.94%. This indicates that LPLA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LPLA	SCHC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.40%	4.94%	+6.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.86%	13.06%	+14.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.12%	15.50%	+20.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	17.50%	+18.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.11%	17.99%	+20.12%

Dividends

LPLA vs. SCHC - Dividend Comparison

LPLA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, less than SCHC's 3.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LPLA LPL Financial Holdings Inc.	0.41%	0.34%	0.37%	0.53%	0.46%	0.62%	0.96%	1.08%	1.64%	1.75%	2.84%	2.34%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.32%	3.66%	3.72%	2.94%	1.78%	3.02%	1.62%	3.23%	2.51%	2.73%	2.01%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LPLA and SCHC in my portfolio?

LPLA and SCHC have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LPLA or SCHC?

LPLA has higher volatility (11.40%) compared to SCHC (4.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LPLA dropped -69.32% vs SCHC's -43.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs -0.62), 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.