SCHF vs. FLCH

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and FLCH (Franklin FTSE China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while FLCH is a China Equities fund tracking the FTSE China RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHF returned 9.82%/yr vs -3.87%/yr for FLCH. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SCHF charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FLCH.

Performance

SCHF vs. FLCH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHF achieves a 13.16% return, which is significantly higher than FLCH's -10.17% return.

SCHF

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -2.17%
• 6M: 7.52%
• YTD: 13.16%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: 10.07%
• ALL TIME*: 7.75%

FLCH

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 4.49%
• 6M: -13.97%
• YTD: -10.17%
• 1Y: -6.50%
• 3Y*: 7.74%
• 5Y*: -3.87%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.09%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	$3.91M	$4.48M	$3.36M
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	$203.16M	$207.38M	$210.77M

SCHF vs. FLCH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	13.16%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	1.97%
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	-10.17%	32.55%	18.00%	-11.21%	-22.74%	-20.87%	30.09%	24.32%	-19.52%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHF and FLCH is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.59

The correlation between SCHF and FLCH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHF vs. FLCH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHF	FLCH
Financial Services	25.5%	19.0%
Technology	16.4%	10.5%
Industrials	14.2%	8.2%
Healthcare	7.1%	6.1%
Basic Materials	6.5%	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	23.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	3.2%
Energy	5.2%	3.4%
Utilities	3.2%	2.0%
Communication Services	2.5%	16.2%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.6%

Return for Risk

SCHF vs. FLCH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 62
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 65

FLCH

FLCH Risk / Return Rank: 8
FLCH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Omega Ratio Rank: 7
FLCH Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FLCH Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. FLCH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH). 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	FLCH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	-0.34	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	-0.36	+2.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	0.96	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	-0.32	+2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.94	-0.68	+8.62

SCHF vs. FLCH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHF Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is higher than the FLCH Sharpe Ratio of -0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHF and FLCH, 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. FLCH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHF drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, smaller than the maximum FLCH drawdown of -62.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHF and FLCH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHF	FLCH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-62.09%	+27.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-21.48%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-25.43%	+12.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.14%	-50.38%	+21.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.84%	-36.68%	+32.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-30.62%	+23.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	10.01%	-6.94%

Volatility

SCHF vs. FLCH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is 4.77%, while Franklin FTSE China ETF (FLCH) has a volatility of 5.99%. This indicates that SCHF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLCH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHF	FLCH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.77%	5.99%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.23%	13.93%	+1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.16%	19.83%	-2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	29.58%	-12.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	27.80%	-10.78%

SCHF vs. FLCH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHF has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FLCH's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SCHF vs. FLCH - Dividend Comparison

SCHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, more than FLCH's 2.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLCH Franklin FTSE China ETF	2.41%	2.36%	2.87%	3.47%	2.69%	1.48%	0.91%	1.98%	1.92%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	3.12%	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 FLCH in my portfolio?

SCHF and FLCH have a correlation of 0.53, 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 FLCH?

FLCH has higher volatility (5.99%) compared to SCHF (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHF dropped -34.87% vs FLCH's -62.09%.

Which ETF is better, SCHF or FLCH?

On 5-year performance, SCHF leads with 9.82% vs -3.87% for FLCH. On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHF has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHF or FLCH?

Over the 5-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 9.82% return vs -3.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHF or FLCH?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLCH.

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

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 2.41% for FLCH.

What is the main difference between SCHF and FLCH?

SCHF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FLCH is China Equities. SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while FLCH tracks FTSE China RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHF and 0.19% for FLCH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs -0.34), 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.