SCHC vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHC is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Small Cap ex U.S. Liquid Index, while SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHC returned 8.35%/yr vs 11.73%/yr for SCHA. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHC charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

SCHC vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHC achieves a 4.94% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 22.67% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHC has underperformed SCHA with an annualized return of 8.35%, while SCHA has yielded a comparatively higher 11.73% annualized return.

SCHC

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -4.92%
• YTD: 4.94%
• 6M: 4.51%
• 1Y: 18.99%
• 3Y*: 16.94%
• 5Y*: 5.65%
• 10Y*: 8.35%

SCHA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 22.67%
• 6M: 19.77%
• 1Y: 40.05%
• 3Y*: 19.89%
• 5Y*: 7.22%
• 10Y*: 11.73%

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

SCHC vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	4.94%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-18.60%	29.42%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	22.67%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHC and SCHA is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2010	0.75

The correlation between SCHC and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHC vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHC	SCHA
Industrials	16.1%	15.4%
Financial Services	13.1%	15.4%
Basic Materials	11.7%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	9.2%
Technology	6.7%	24.3%
Real Estate	5.0%	5.8%
Energy	4.4%	4.8%
Healthcare	3.7%	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	2.5%
Utilities	2.2%	2.1%
Communication Services	2.2%	2.3%

Return for Risk

SCHC vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 35
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 35
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 38

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	2.15	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	3.00	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.36	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	4.23	-2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.48	15.49	-10.01

SCHC vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHC Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHC and SCHA, 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. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHC drawdown since its inception was -43.94%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHC and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHC	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.94%	-42.41%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-9.50%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-27.29%	+11.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.48%	-30.79%	-5.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.94%	-42.41%	-1.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	-1.61%	-5.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.03%	-7.56%	-2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.47%	2.59%	+0.88%

Volatility

SCHC vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) is 6.27%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that SCHC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHC	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	6.71%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	13.91%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.36%	18.75%	-2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	22.04%	-4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.85%	22.75%	-4.90%

SCHC vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHC has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% 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. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

SCHC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than SCHA's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	0.98%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.49%	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 SCHA in my portfolio?

SCHC and SCHA have a correlation of 0.71, 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 SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to SCHC (6.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHC dropped -43.94% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, SCHC or SCHA?

On 10-year performance, SCHA leads with 11.73% vs 8.35% for SCHC. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHC has been the lower-risk option at 6.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHC or SCHA?

Over the 10-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 11.73% return vs 8.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHC or SCHA?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for SCHC.

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

SCHC has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 0.98% for SCHA.

What is the main difference between SCHC and SCHA?

SCHC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while SCHA is Small Cap Blend Equities. SCHC tracks FTSE Developed Small Cap ex U.S. Liquid Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for SCHC and 0.04% for SCHA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.17), 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.