SCHE vs. SFENX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCHE (Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and SFENX (Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from Charles Schwab - SCHE tracks the FTSE Emerging Index while SFENX tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHE returned 8.96%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for SFENX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHE charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for SFENX.

Performance

SCHE vs. SFENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHE achieves a 10.23% return, which is significantly lower than SFENX's 13.84% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHE has underperformed SFENX with an annualized return of 8.96%, while SFENX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.13% annualized return.

SCHE

• 1D: -3.06%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 6M: 10.33%
• 1Y: 26.99%
• 3Y*: 17.60%
• 5Y*: 4.91%
• 10Y*: 8.96%

SFENX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.33%
• YTD: 13.84%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 32.69%
• 3Y*: 20.69%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

SCHE vs. SFENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF	10.23%	26.54%	10.60%	8.93%	-17.84%	-0.65%	14.49%	20.31%	-13.57%	32.70%
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	13.84%	29.19%	12.31%	14.90%	-15.50%	13.91%	-3.01%	19.46%	-9.96%	26.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHE and SFENX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2010	0.90

The correlation between SCHE and SFENX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHE vs. SFENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHE

SCHE Risk / Return Rank: 48
SCHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SCHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SCHE Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SCHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SCHE Martin Ratio Rank: 51

SFENX

SFENX Risk / Return Rank: 75
SFENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SFENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SFENX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SFENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SFENX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SCHE vs. SFENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) and Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX). 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	SFENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	2.41	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.24	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.44	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	3.52	-1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.46	12.26	-3.80

SCHE vs. SFENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHE Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is lower than the SFENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHE and SFENX, 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

SCHE vs. SFENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHE drawdown since its inception was -36.20%, smaller than the maximum SFENX drawdown of -47.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHE and SFENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHE	SFENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.20%	-47.19%	+10.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-9.45%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.08%	-16.51%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.31%	-29.26%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.20%	-39.59%	+3.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.06%	-2.93%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.56%	-12.86%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	2.71%	+0.49%

Volatility

SCHE vs. SFENX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) has a higher volatility of 7.54% compared to Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX) at 5.29%. This indicates that SCHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHE	SFENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.54%	5.29%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.01%	11.50%	+3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.35%	13.82%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	15.49%	+2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.45%	16.89%	+2.56%

SCHE vs. SFENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHE has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than SFENX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHE vs. SFENX - Dividend Comparison

SCHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than SFENX's 3.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	3.45%	3.93%	4.67%	5.00%	5.46%	4.61%	2.95%	3.82%	2.90%	2.37%	2.16%	3.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHE and SFENX in my portfolio?

SCHE and SFENX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHE or SFENX?

SCHE has higher volatility (7.54%) compared to SFENX (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHE dropped -36.20% vs SFENX's -47.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.56), 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.