SCHF vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHF returned 10.24%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHF charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

SCHF vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 VTI's 8.81% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHF has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 10.24%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.82% annualized return.

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%

VTI

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 8.81%
• 6M: 8.81%
• 1Y: 24.58%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 12.10%
• 10Y*: 14.82%

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

SCHF vs. VTI - 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	8.81%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHF and VTI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.82

The correlation between SCHF and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHF vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHF	VTI
Financial Services	24.0%	12.0%
Technology	21.4%	33.5%
Industrials	8.9%	9.8%
Healthcare	7.3%	9.2%
Basic Materials	5.8%	2.0%
Energy	5.5%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.4%	10.0%
Communication Services	1.8%	10.3%
Utilities	1.0%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.2%	2.4%

Return for Risk

SCHF vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.99	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	2.69	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.36	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.77	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.48	12.60	-3.12
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHF Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHF and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.99	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.70	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.81	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.50	-0.07

Drawdowns

SCHF vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHF drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHF and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHF	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-55.45%	+20.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-8.92%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-19.30%	+5.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.14%	-25.36%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-35.00%	+0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.39%	-2.86%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-8.02%	+0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	1.96%	+1.02%

Volatility

SCHF vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a higher volatility of 5.84% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.82%. This indicates that SCHF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHF	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	3.82%	+2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	9.55%	+4.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	12.42%	+3.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.47%	17.44%	-0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.20%	18.32%	-1.12%

SCHF vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHF has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

SCHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHF and VTI in my portfolio?

SCHF and VTI have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VTI?

SCHF has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to VTI (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHF dropped -34.87% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, SCHF or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.82% vs 10.24% for SCHF. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHF or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 14.82% return vs 10.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHF or VTI?

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

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

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 3.04%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.

What is the main difference between SCHF and VTI?

SCHF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SCHF and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 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.