PEAFX vs. SFENX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PEAFX (PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A) and SFENX (Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. PEAFX is actively managed, while SFENX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PEAFX returned 10.51%/yr vs 10.87%/yr for SFENX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEAFX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for SFENX.

Performance

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A (PEAFX) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEAFX achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly lower than SFENX's 11.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PEAFX having a 10.51% annualized return and SFENX not far ahead at 10.87%.

PEAFX

• 1D: -2.86%
• 1M: -4.64%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 4.32%
• 1Y: 17.08%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

SFENX

• 1D: -2.32%
• 1M: -1.02%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 27.09%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 9.04%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEAFX PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A	9.04%	20.25%	1.14%	22.28%	-10.71%	15.47%	6.43%	13.30%	-12.77%	28.91%
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	11.20%	29.19%	12.31%	14.90%	-15.50%	13.91%	-3.01%	19.46%	-9.96%	26.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PEAFX and SFENX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.94

The correlation between PEAFX and SFENX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEAFX vs. SFENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEAFX

PEAFX Risk / Return Rank: 29
PEAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PEAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PEAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
PEAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PEAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

SFENX

SFENX Risk / Return Rank: 62
SFENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SFENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SFENX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SFENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SFENX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A (PEAFX) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX). 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.

	PEAFX	SFENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	2.12	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.86	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	3.15	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.10	10.89	-4.79

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEAFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is lower than the SFENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEAFX and SFENX, 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

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEAFX drawdown since its inception was -47.18%, roughly equal to the maximum SFENX drawdown of -47.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEAFX and SFENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEAFX	SFENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.18%	-47.19%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.98%	-9.45%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.22%	-16.51%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.37%	-29.26%	+2.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.18%	-39.59%	-7.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.72%	-5.19%	-2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.14%	-12.86%	+2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.21%	2.73%	+0.48%

Volatility

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A (PEAFX) has a higher volatility of 6.19% compared to Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX) at 5.83%. This indicates that PEAFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEAFX	SFENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.19%	5.83%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	11.74%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	14.01%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.00%	15.53%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	16.84%	+0.24%

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEAFX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SFENX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEAFX vs. SFENX - Dividend Comparison

PEAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than SFENX's 3.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEAFX PIMCO RAE Emerging Markets Fund Class A	2.73%	2.97%	1.01%	4.01%	11.33%	9.19%	7.05%	2.48%	11.05%	8.07%	2.59%	0.00%
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	3.54%	3.93%	4.67%	5.00%	5.46%	4.61%	2.95%	3.82%	2.90%	2.37%	2.16%	3.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEAFX and SFENX in my portfolio?

PEAFX and SFENX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEAFX or SFENX?

PEAFX has higher volatility (6.19%) compared to SFENX (5.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEAFX dropped -47.18% vs SFENX's -47.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.31), 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.