SCHC vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHC is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Custom Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid Net of Tax (Lux), while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHC returned 7.91%/yr vs 12.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHC charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

SCHC vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHC achieves a 6.81% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHC has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 7.91%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.71% annualized return.

SCHC

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -5.20%
• YTD: 6.81%
• 6M: 9.38%
• 1Y: 23.23%
• 3Y*: 16.78%
• 5Y*: 5.72%
• 10Y*: 7.91%

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

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

SCHC vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	6.81%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-18.60%	29.42%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHC and IAU is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2010	0.25

Over the past year, SCHC and IAU have become more correlated (0.48) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.

SCHC vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHC	IAU
Industrials	22.4%	-
Basic Materials	13.7%	-
Financial Services	12.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	-
Technology	9.2%	-
Real Estate	8.6%	100.0%
Energy	6.5%	-
Healthcare	6.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-

Return for Risk

SCHC vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 45
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 47

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

SCHC vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	SCHC	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.14	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	1.52	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.23	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	1.52	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.03	3.80	+3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHC vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHC Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHC and IAU, 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

	SCHC	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	1.14	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.99	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.80	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.61	-0.23

Drawdowns

SCHC vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHC drawdown since its inception was -43.94%, roughly equal to the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHC and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHC	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.94%	-45.14%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-20.04%	+7.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-20.04%	+4.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.48%	-20.93%	-15.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.94%	-21.82%	-22.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.65%	-19.88%	+14.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.05%	-15.97%	+5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	7.99%	-4.68%

Volatility

SCHC vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.47% and 5.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHC	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.47%	5.64%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	23.33%	-9.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.86%	26.68%	-10.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.56%	18.02%	-0.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	15.94%	+2.08%

SCHC vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHC has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% 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

SCHC vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

SCHC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.43%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.43%	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 SCHC and IAU in my portfolio?

SCHC and IAU have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHC or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SCHC (5.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHC dropped -43.94% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SCHC or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 12.71% vs 7.91% for SCHC. On fees, SCHC is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, SCHC has been the lower-risk option at 5.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHC or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 12.71% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHC or IAU?

SCHC is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHC or IAU?

SCHC has the higher dividend yield at 3.43%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between SCHC and IAU?

SCHC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. SCHC tracks FTSE Custom Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid Net of Tax (Lux), while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SCHC and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.14), 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.