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SCHF vs. VEA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SCHF vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index while VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHF returned 11.18%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VEA. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SCHF charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

SCHF vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHF achieves a 17.68% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 16.69% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHF having a 11.18% annualized return and VEA not far behind at 11.06%.

SCHF

1D
0.21%
1M
3.82%
YTD
17.68%
6M
18.27%
1Y
36.30%
3Y*
20.89%
5Y*
10.67%
10Y*
11.18%

VEA

1D
0.11%
1M
3.28%
YTD
16.69%
6M
17.33%
1Y
35.42%
3Y*
20.72%
5Y*
10.37%
10Y*
11.06%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SCHF vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SCHF
Schwab International Equity ETF		17.68%34.55%3.28%18.35%-14.80%11.40%9.48%22.26%-14.29%26.03%
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		16.69%35.16%3.15%17.93%-15.34%11.66%9.71%22.62%-14.75%26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHF and VEA is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.00

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.99

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009

0.99

The correlation between SCHF and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHF vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SCHF
VEA

Financial Services

23.3%
22.3%

Industrials

18.1%
17.5%

Technology

17.6%
16.6%

Basic Materials

7.4%
7.5%

Consumer Cyclical

7.3%
7.4%

Healthcare

7.0%
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

5.7%
5.5%

Energy

4.7%
4.7%

Communication Services

3.6%
3.2%

Utilities

3.2%
3.0%

Real Estate

2.0%
2.5%

Financial Services

SCHF
23.3%
VEA
22.3%

Industrials

SCHF
18.1%
VEA
17.5%

Technology

SCHF
17.6%
VEA
16.6%

Basic Materials

SCHF
7.4%
VEA
7.5%

Consumer Cyclical

SCHF
7.3%
VEA
7.4%

Healthcare

SCHF
7.0%
VEA
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

SCHF
5.7%
VEA
5.5%

Energy

SCHF
4.7%
VEA
4.7%

Communication Services

SCHF
3.6%
VEA
3.2%

Utilities

SCHF
3.2%
VEA
3.0%

Real Estate

SCHF
2.0%
VEA
2.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Schwab International Equity ETF

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

Often compared with SCHF:
SCHF vs. VXUSSCHF vs. SWISXSCHF vs. SCHYSCHF vs. SCHESCHF vs. FNDFSCHF vs. SCHBSCHF vs. SCHD
Often compared with VEA:
VEA vs. VXUSVEA vs. VWOVEA vs. VOOVEA vs. VEUVEA vs. IEFAVEA vs. VTIVEA vs. VGK

Return for Risk

SCHF vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SCHF
SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
VEA
VEA Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

SCHFVEADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.20
2.16

+0.04

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.97
2.93

+0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.39

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.18

3.06

+0.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.22

11.80

+0.42

SCHF vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHF Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHF and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SCHF vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHF drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHF and VEA.

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Drawdown Indicators

SCHFVEADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.87%

-60.68%

+25.81%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.48%

-11.63%

+0.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.41%

-13.45%

+0.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.14%

-29.71%

+0.57%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.87%

-35.73%

+0.86%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.36%

-13.26%

+5.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.98%

3.01%

-0.03%

Volatility

SCHF vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have volatilities of 6.42% and 6.32%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SCHFVEADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.42%

6.32%

+0.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.43%

14.39%

+0.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.63%

16.52%

+0.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.55%

16.71%

-0.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.21%

17.38%

-0.17%

SCHF vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHF has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VEA - Dividend Comparison

SCHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, more than VEA's 2.50% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SCHF
Schwab International Equity ETF		2.90%3.42%3.26%2.97%2.80%3.19%2.08%2.95%3.06%2.35%2.58%2.26%
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		2.50%3.22%3.35%3.15%2.91%3.16%2.04%3.04%3.35%2.77%3.05%2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.99, SCHF and VEA 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.

SCHF has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to VEA (6.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHF dropped -34.87% vs VEA's -60.68%.

On 10-year performance, SCHF leads with 11.18% vs 11.06% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 11.18% return vs 11.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for SCHF.

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 2.90%, compared with 2.50% for VEA.

SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHF and 0.03% for VEA.

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 2.16), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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