SCHE vs. EMLC
SCHE (Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and EMLC (VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while EMLC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHE returned 9.02%/yr vs 2.28%/yr for EMLC. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHE charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for EMLC.
Performance
SCHE vs. EMLC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCHE achieves a 10.50% return, which is significantly higher than EMLC's 1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHE has outperformed EMLC with an annualized return of 9.02%, while EMLC has yielded a comparatively lower 2.28% annualized return.
SCHE
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- YTD
- 10.50%
- 6M
- 12.18%
- 1Y
- 24.54%
- 3Y*
- 16.79%
- 5Y*
- 4.83%
- 10Y*
- 9.02%
EMLC
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 2.50%
- 1Y
- 8.78%
- 3Y*
- 6.63%
- 5Y*
- 1.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.28%
SCHE vs. EMLC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 10.50% | 26.54% | 10.60% | 8.93% | -17.84% | -0.65% | 14.49% | 20.31% | -13.57% | 32.70% |
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 1.40% | 18.81% | -2.97% | 11.18% | -10.58% | -9.72% | 3.08% | 9.79% | -7.57% | 13.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCHE and EMLC is 0.70, 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 | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2010 | 0.65 |
The correlation between SCHE and EMLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCHE vs. EMLC — Risk / Return Rank
SCHE
EMLC
SCHE vs. EMLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) and VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC). 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.
| SCHE | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.24 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 1.42 | +0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.70 | 4.75 | +2.95 |
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Drawdowns
SCHE vs. EMLC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCHE drawdown since its inception was -36.20%, which is greater than EMLC's maximum drawdown of -32.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHE and EMLC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCHE | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.20% | -32.43% | -3.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.29% | -6.19% | -5.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.08% | -9.15% | -7.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.35% | -24.70% | -8.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.20% | -26.47% | -9.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.66% | -3.83% | +1.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.58% | -14.35% | +1.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 1.86% | +1.34% |
Volatility
SCHE vs. EMLC - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) has a higher volatility of 6.91% compared to VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) at 2.44%. This indicates that SCHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCHE | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.91% | 2.44% | +4.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.48% | 6.17% | +8.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.97% | 7.06% | +9.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.79% | 9.14% | +8.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.49% | 10.04% | +9.45% |
SCHE vs. EMLC - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCHE has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than EMLC's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCHE vs. EMLC - Dividend Comparison
SCHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than EMLC's 6.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.16% | 5.91% | 6.55% | 5.97% | 5.54% | 5.25% | 4.90% | 6.25% | 6.50% | 5.34% | 5.32% | 6.25% |
SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 2.61% | 2.88% | 3.03% | 3.83% | 2.88% | 2.86% | 2.09% | 3.27% | 2.64% | 2.31% | 2.27% | 2.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SCHE and EMLC have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCHE has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to EMLC (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHE dropped -36.20% vs EMLC's -32.43%.
On 10-year performance, SCHE leads with 9.02% vs 2.28% for EMLC. On fees, SCHE is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, EMLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SCHE has performed better with a 9.02% return vs 2.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHE is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for EMLC.
EMLC has the higher dividend yield at 6.16%, compared with 2.61% for SCHE.
SCHE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while EMLC is Emerging Markets Bonds. SCHE tracks FTSE Emerging Index, while EMLC tracks J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SCHE and 0.30% for EMLC.
SCHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.25), 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.
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