PSEC vs. SCHC

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PSEC (Prospect Capital Corporation) 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, PSEC returned 0.41%/yr vs 8.48%/yr for SCHC. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PSEC vs. SCHC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Prospect Capital Corporation (PSEC) 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, PSEC achieves a -3.27% return, which is significantly lower than SCHC's 9.25% return. Over the past 10 years, PSEC has underperformed SCHC with an annualized return of 0.41%, while SCHC has yielded a comparatively higher 8.48% annualized return.

PSEC

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 7.59%
• YTD: -3.27%
• 6M: -2.63%
• 1Y: -14.85%
• 3Y*: -16.85%
• 5Y*: -13.87%
• 10Y*: 0.41%

SCHC

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 9.25%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 25.49%
• 3Y*: 17.06%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 8.48%

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

PSEC vs. SCHC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSEC Prospect Capital Corporation	-3.27%	-28.86%	-18.16%	-4.13%	-8.61%	70.00%	-3.54%	13.83%	4.09%	-9.44%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	9.25%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-18.60%	29.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PSEC and SCHC is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2010	0.48

The correlation between PSEC and SCHC shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.49 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSEC vs. SCHC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSEC

PSEC Risk / Return Rank: 20
PSEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PSEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PSEC Omega Ratio Rank: 21
PSEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
PSEC Martin Ratio Rank: 18

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 47
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

PSEC vs. SCHC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Prospect Capital Corporation (PSEC) 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.

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.

	PSEC	SCHC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.50	1.49	-1.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.54	2.09	-2.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.27	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.63	1.93	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.13	7.12	-8.24

PSEC vs. SCHC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSEC Sharpe Ratio is -0.50, which is lower than the SCHC Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSEC 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.

Drawdowns

PSEC vs. SCHC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSEC drawdown since its inception was -61.51%, which is greater than SCHC's maximum drawdown of -43.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSEC and SCHC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSEC	SCHC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.51%	-43.94%	-17.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.04%	-12.48%	-14.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.64%	-15.52%	-35.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.21%	-36.48%	-20.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.21%	-43.94%	-13.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-53.33%	-3.49%	-49.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.65%	-10.04%	-5.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.04%	3.38%	+11.66%

Volatility

PSEC vs. SCHC - Volatility Comparison

Prospect Capital Corporation (PSEC) has a higher volatility of 10.61% compared to Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) at 6.31%. This indicates that PSEC'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

	PSEC	SCHC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.61%	6.31%	+4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.53%	13.88%	+13.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.82%	16.21%	+17.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.06%	17.62%	+10.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.36%	18.02%	+9.34%

Dividends

PSEC vs. SCHC - Dividend Comparison

PSEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.94%, more than SCHC's 3.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSEC Prospect Capital Corporation	22.94%	20.85%	16.01%	12.02%	10.30%	8.56%	13.31%	11.18%	11.41%	13.45%	11.98%	14.72%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.35%	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 PSEC and SCHC in my portfolio?

PSEC and SCHC have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSEC or SCHC?

PSEC has higher volatility (10.61%) compared to SCHC (6.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSEC dropped -61.51% vs SCHC's -43.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs -0.50), 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.