SCHX vs. XCEM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) and XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCHX returned 15.20%/yr vs 12.13%/yr for XCEM. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCHX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for XCEM.

Performance

SCHX vs. XCEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHX achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than XCEM's 30.29% return. Over the past 10 years, SCHX has outperformed XCEM with an annualized return of 15.20%, while XCEM has yielded a comparatively lower 12.13% annualized return.

SCHX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 24.19%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 15.20%

XCEM

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 30.29%
• 6M: 35.41%
• 1Y: 58.25%
• 3Y*: 23.31%
• 5Y*: 10.94%
• 10Y*: 12.13%

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

SCHX vs. XCEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	8.56%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	30.29%	34.05%	0.42%	19.96%	-17.59%	7.87%	9.47%	19.74%	-11.75%	34.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHX and XCEM is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2015	0.63

The correlation between SCHX and XCEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCHX vs. XCEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHX	XCEM
Technology	38.3%	37.1%
Communication Services	10.1%	4.2%
Financial Services	9.9%	22.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	6.3%
Industrials	8.4%	9.7%
Healthcare	8.4%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	3.0%
Energy	3.2%	3.8%
Utilities	2.5%	1.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	6.4%

Return for Risk

SCHX vs. XCEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 66
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 85
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XCEM 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.

SCHX vs. XCEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM). 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.

	SCHX	XCEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.64	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	3.26	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.48	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	4.05	-1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.15	16.03	-3.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHX vs. XCEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the XCEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHX and XCEM, 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

	SCHX	XCEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.64	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.61	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.61	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.60	+0.25

Drawdowns

SCHX vs. XCEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHX drawdown since its inception was -34.33%, smaller than the maximum XCEM drawdown of -41.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHX and XCEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHX	XCEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.33%	-41.24%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-14.46%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.04%	-18.92%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.41%	-29.65%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	-41.24%	+6.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-6.98%	+4.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-8.59%	+4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	3.64%	-1.64%

Volatility

SCHX vs. XCEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is 3.84%, while Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has a volatility of 11.63%. This indicates that SCHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XCEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHX	XCEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	11.63%	-7.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.44%	20.28%	-10.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	22.22%	-9.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	18.05%	-0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	19.83%	-1.66%

SCHX vs. XCEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XCEM's 0.16% 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

SCHX vs. XCEM - Dividend Comparison

SCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than XCEM's 2.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.03%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.50%	3.25%	2.76%	1.22%	2.42%	1.94%	1.63%	2.11%	2.70%	9.56%	1.24%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHX and XCEM in my portfolio?

SCHX and XCEM have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHX or XCEM?

XCEM has higher volatility (11.63%) compared to SCHX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHX dropped -34.33% vs XCEM's -41.24%.

Which ETF is better, SCHX or XCEM?

On 10-year performance, SCHX leads with 15.20% vs 12.13% for XCEM. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHX has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHX or XCEM?

Over the 10-year period, SCHX has performed better with a 15.20% return vs 12.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHX or XCEM?

SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for XCEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHX or XCEM?

XCEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.50%, compared with 1.03% for SCHX.

What is the main difference between SCHX and XCEM?

SCHX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XCEM is Emerging Markets Equities. SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Ameriprise Financial. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SCHX and 0.16% for XCEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XCEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.98), 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.