SCHC vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) 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 IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SCHC returned 17.06%/yr vs 29.28%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCHC charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

SCHC vs. IAUM - 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 Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHC achieves a 9.25% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's -2.40% return.

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%

IAUM

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -9.51%
• YTD: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.08%
• 1Y: 22.55%
• 3Y*: 29.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHC vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	9.25%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	0.56%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-2.40%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHC and IAUM 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	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021	0.38

The correlation between SCHC and IAUM shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHC vs. IAUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHC	IAUM
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. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 27
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. IAUM - 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 Micro (IAUM). 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.

	SCHC	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	0.90	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.26	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.19	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	1.00	+0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.12	2.87	+4.25

SCHC vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHC Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is higher than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHC and IAUM, 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

SCHC vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHC drawdown since its inception was -43.94%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -24.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHC and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHC	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.94%	-24.37%	-19.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-24.37%	+11.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-24.37%	+8.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.94%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.49%	-21.99%	+18.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.04%	-5.38%	-4.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	8.46%	-5.08%

Volatility

SCHC vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) is 6.31%, while iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) has a volatility of 7.71%. This indicates that SCHC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHC	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.31%	7.71%	-1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.88%	23.82%	-9.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	27.06%	-10.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.62%	18.05%	-0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	18.05%	-0.03%

SCHC vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHC has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% expense ratio. However, 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. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

SCHC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	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	3.35%	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 SCHC and IAUM in my portfolio?

SCHC and IAUM 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 IAUM?

IAUM has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to SCHC (6.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHC dropped -43.94% vs IAUM's -24.37%.

Which ETF is better, SCHC or IAUM?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 29.28% vs 17.06% for SCHC. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SCHC has been the lower-risk option at 6.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHC or IAUM?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 29.28% return vs 17.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHC or IAUM?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SCHC.

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

SCHC has the higher dividend yield at 3.35%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between SCHC and IAUM?

SCHC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IAUM is Gold. SCHC tracks FTSE Custom Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid Net of Tax (Lux), while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SCHC and 0.09% for IAUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 0.90), 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.