SCHF vs. BALFX

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and BALFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund) are both funds - SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while BALFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, SCHF returned 10.24%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for BALFX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHF charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for BALFX.

Performance

SCHF vs. BALFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHF achieves a 12.60% return, which is significantly higher than BALFX's 7.61% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHF having a 10.24% annualized return and BALFX not far behind at 9.83%.

SCHF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.06%
• YTD: 12.60%
• 6M: 15.54%
• 1Y: 28.16%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: 10.24%

BALFX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -0.27%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 6M: 8.26%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 16.60%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

SCHF vs. BALFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	12.60%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	7.61%	18.40%	14.91%	13.62%	-12.19%	15.69%	10.81%	18.50%	-3.54%	14.63%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHF and BALFX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.85

The correlation between SCHF and BALFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHF vs. BALFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 57
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

BALFX

BALFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
BALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
BALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SCHF vs. BALFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). 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.

	SCHF	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.44	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.37	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.46	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	3.10	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.48	13.88	-4.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHF vs. BALFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHF Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the BALFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHF and BALFX, 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

	SCHF	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.44	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.87	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.92	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.68	-0.25

Drawdowns

SCHF vs. BALFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHF drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, smaller than the maximum BALFX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHF and BALFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHF	BALFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-40.20%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-7.03%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-10.67%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.14%	-18.81%	-10.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-22.34%	-12.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.39%	-2.12%	-1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-4.16%	-3.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	1.57%	+1.41%

Volatility

SCHF vs. BALFX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a higher volatility of 5.84% compared to American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) at 3.08%. This indicates that SCHF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BALFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHF	BALFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	3.08%	+2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	7.11%	+6.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	8.97%	+7.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.47%	10.52%	+5.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.20%	10.68%	+6.52%

SCHF vs. BALFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHF has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BALFX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHF vs. BALFX - Dividend Comparison

SCHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, less than BALFX's 6.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	6.91%	8.22%	7.14%	2.02%	2.24%	4.24%	4.31%	3.44%	5.30%	4.66%	4.18%	5.54%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	3.04%	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 SCHF and BALFX in my portfolio?

SCHF and BALFX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHF or BALFX?

SCHF has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to BALFX (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHF dropped -34.87% vs BALFX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.74), 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.