SCHF vs. FDT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHF returned 10.10%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for FDT. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHF charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

SCHF vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHF achieves a 13.29% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 14.80% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHF having a 10.10% annualized return and FDT not far behind at 10.02%.

SCHF

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: -1.82%
• 6M: 8.85%
• YTD: 13.29%
• 1Y: 27.10%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 9.71%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

FDT

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -6.84%
• 6M: 8.73%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 1Y: 34.70%
• 3Y*: 23.70%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

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

SCHF vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	13.29%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	14.80%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHF and FDT is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.91

The correlation between SCHF and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHF vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHF	FDT
Financial Services	23.3%	9.9%
Industrials	18.1%	32.4%
Technology	17.6%	12.1%
Basic Materials	7.4%	9.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	11.9%
Healthcare	7.0%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	2.5%
Energy	4.7%	7.9%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.8%
Utilities	3.2%	4.8%
Real Estate	2.0%	5.0%

Return for Risk

SCHF vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 60
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 64
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). 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.

	SCHF	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.70	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	2.27	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.32	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	2.60	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.97	8.93	+0.04

SCHF vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHF Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHF and FDT, 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

SCHF vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHF drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHF and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHF	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-46.10%	+11.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-13.41%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-14.29%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.14%	-32.80%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-46.10%	+11.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-9.98%	+6.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-10.73%	+3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	3.90%	-0.87%

Volatility

SCHF vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is 6.49%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that SCHF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHF	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.49%	8.14%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.13%	18.41%	-3.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	20.52%	-3.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	18.61%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.01%	18.53%	-1.52%

SCHF vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHF has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHF vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

SCHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, more than FDT's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.91%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	3.11%	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 FDT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, SCHF and FDT 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, SCHF or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to SCHF (6.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHF dropped -34.87% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, SCHF or FDT?

On 10-year performance, SCHF leads with 10.10% vs 10.02% for FDT. On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHF has been the lower-risk option at 6.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHF or FDT?

Over the 10-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 10.10% return vs 10.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHF or FDT?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 3.11%, compared with 2.91% for FDT.

What is the main difference between SCHF and FDT?

SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHF and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.59), 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.