SCHC vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHC (Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) 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 SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHC returned 8.02%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for SCHF. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHC charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

SCHC vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHC achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly lower than SCHF's 15.56% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHC has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 8.02%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

SCHC

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 12.08%
• 1Y: 27.44%
• 3Y*: 17.96%
• 5Y*: 6.18%
• 10Y*: 8.02%

SCHF

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 5.91%
• YTD: 15.56%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 32.67%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 9.84%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

SCHC vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	9.49%	37.59%	1.97%	14.36%	-21.74%	12.02%	10.48%	23.10%	-18.60%	29.42%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	15.56%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHC and SCHF is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2010	0.94

The correlation between SCHC and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHC vs. SCHF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHC	SCHF
Industrials	22.4%	11.5%
Basic Materials	13.7%	6.5%
Financial Services	12.6%	20.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	5.7%
Technology	9.2%	15.7%
Real Estate	8.6%	1.7%
Energy	6.5%	5.0%
Healthcare	6.5%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.9%
Communication Services	3.2%	2.3%
Utilities	3.2%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SCHC vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHC

SCHC Risk / Return Rank: 49
SCHC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SCHC Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
SCHC Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SCHC Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SCHC Martin Ratio Rank: 49

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 59
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). 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	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.09	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.87	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.37	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.86	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.41	11.11	-2.70
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. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHC Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHC and SCHF, 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	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	2.09	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.60	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.60	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.44	-0.04

Drawdowns

SCHC vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHC drawdown since its inception was -43.94%, which is greater than SCHF's maximum drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHC and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHC	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.94%	-34.87%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-11.48%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.52%	-13.41%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.48%	-29.14%	-7.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.94%	-34.87%	-9.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.28%	-0.86%	-2.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.05%	-7.38%	-2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	2.95%	+0.32%

Volatility

SCHC vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) is 5.05%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that SCHC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHC	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	5.66%	-0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	13.34%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	15.74%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.50%	16.39%	+1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.99%	17.18%	+0.81%

SCHC vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHC has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% 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. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

SCHC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.34%, more than SCHF's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHC Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF	3.34%	3.66%	3.72%	2.94%	1.78%	3.02%	1.62%	3.23%	2.51%	2.73%	2.01%	2.34%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	2.96%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHC and SCHF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SCHC and SCHF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SCHC or SCHF?

SCHF has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to SCHC (5.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHC dropped -43.94% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which ETF is better, SCHC or SCHF?

On 10-year performance, SCHF leads with 10.27% vs 8.02% for SCHC. On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHC has been the lower-risk option at 5.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHC or SCHF?

Over the 10-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 8.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHC or SCHF?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SCHC.

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

SCHC has the higher dividend yield at 3.34%, compared with 2.96% for SCHF.

What is the main difference between SCHC and SCHF?

SCHC is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while SCHF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. SCHC tracks FTSE Custom Developed Small Cap ex-US Liquid Net of Tax (Lux), while SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SCHC and 0.06% for SCHF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.78), 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.