SCHA vs. FLCH

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and FLCH (Franklin FTSE China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while FLCH is a China Equities fund tracking the FTSE China RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHA returned 7.49%/yr vs -4.30%/yr for FLCH. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHA charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FLCH.

Performance

SCHA vs. FLCH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 19.43% return, which is significantly higher than FLCH's -9.29% return.

SCHA

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -3.47%
• 6M: 11.37%
• YTD: 19.43%
• 1Y: 31.42%
• 3Y*: 15.94%
• 5Y*: 7.49%
• 10Y*: 10.66%
• ALL TIME*: 12.45%

FLCH

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: 1.65%
• 6M: -12.52%
• YTD: -9.29%
• 1Y: -3.28%
• 3Y*: 9.28%
• 5Y*: -4.30%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.20%

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

SCHA vs. FLCH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	19.43%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	3.37%
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	-9.29%	32.55%	18.00%	-11.21%	-22.74%	-20.87%	30.09%	24.32%	-19.52%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and FLCH is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.47

SCHA vs. FLCH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHA	FLCH
Technology	22.4%	12.8%
Healthcare	15.7%	6.0%
Financial Services	15.6%	18.2%
Industrials	14.7%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	21.4%
Real Estate	6.2%	1.6%
Energy	4.7%	3.3%
Basic Materials	3.9%	5.0%
Communication Services	2.5%	15.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	3.2%
Utilities	2.3%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. FLCH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 73
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FLCH

FLCH Risk / Return Rank: 8
FLCH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
FLCH Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
FLCH Omega Ratio Rank: 8
FLCH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
FLCH Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

SCHA vs. FLCH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH). 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.

	SCHA	FLCH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	-0.17	+1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	-0.10	+2.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	0.99	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	-0.15	+3.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.38	-0.34	+11.71

SCHA vs. FLCH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is higher than the FLCH Sharpe Ratio of -0.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and FLCH, 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

SCHA vs. FLCH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, smaller than the maximum FLCH drawdown of -62.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and FLCH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	FLCH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-62.09%	+19.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-21.48%	+11.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-25.43%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-52.45%	+21.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.26%	-36.06%	+29.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.54%	-30.61%	+23.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	9.77%	-7.00%

Volatility

SCHA vs. FLCH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is 5.84%, while Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that SCHA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLCH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	FLCH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	6.16%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.41%	14.05%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	19.88%	-0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.02%	29.62%	-7.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	27.82%	-5.08%

SCHA vs. FLCH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FLCH's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHA vs. FLCH - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than FLCH's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	2.39%	2.36%	2.87%	3.47%	2.69%	1.48%	0.91%	1.98%	1.92%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.06%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHA and FLCH in my portfolio?

SCHA and FLCH have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHA or FLCH?

FLCH has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to SCHA (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs FLCH's -62.09%.

Which ETF is better, SCHA or FLCH?

On 5-year performance, SCHA leads with 7.49% vs -4.30% for FLCH. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHA has been the lower-risk option at 5.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHA or FLCH?

Over the 5-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 7.49% return vs -4.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHA or FLCH?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLCH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHA or FLCH?

FLCH has the higher dividend yield at 2.39%, compared with 1.06% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHA and FLCH?

SCHA is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while FLCH is China Equities. SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while FLCH tracks FTSE China RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SCHA and 0.19% for FLCH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs -0.17), 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.