SCHY vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHY (Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHY is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. SCHY is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHY returned 7.96%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHY charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

SCHY vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHY achieves a 7.94% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 9.16% return.

SCHY

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.39%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 7.96%
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHY vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	7.94%	33.98%	-1.79%	14.27%	-9.43%	4.08%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	3.54%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHY and DFAI is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2021	0.89

The correlation between SCHY and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHY vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHY	DFAI
Financial Services	15.8%	22.5%
Communication Services	15.8%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	14.8%	6.4%
Industrials	13.8%	19.5%
Energy	10.3%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	8.6%
Utilities	7.4%	4.0%
Basic Materials	5.7%	8.8%
Healthcare	4.0%	8.8%
Technology	3.8%	9.3%
Real Estate	0.9%	1.5%

Return for Risk

SCHY vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHY

SCHY Risk / Return Rank: 51
SCHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SCHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SCHY Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SCHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SCHY Martin Ratio Rank: 47

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

SCHY vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	SCHY	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.76	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	2.49	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.32	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	2.26	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	8.87	-0.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHY vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHY and DFAI, 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

	SCHY	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	1.76	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.59	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.78	-0.12

Drawdowns

SCHY vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHY drawdown since its inception was -24.04%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHY and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHY	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.04%	-27.44%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-10.95%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.16%	-13.25%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.04%	-27.44%	+3.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.13%	-1.61%	-3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-5.12%	+0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	2.79%	+0.05%

Volatility

SCHY vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) is 3.41%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that SCHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHY	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	4.45%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	11.68%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	14.08%	-2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.25%	15.92%	-2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.23%	15.70%	-2.47%

SCHY vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHY has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAI's 0.18% 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

SCHY vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

SCHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.44%, more than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	3.44%	3.55%	4.64%	3.97%	3.67%	1.73%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHY and DFAI in my portfolio?

SCHY and DFAI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHY or DFAI?

DFAI has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to SCHY (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHY dropped -24.04% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, SCHY or DFAI?

On 5-year performance, DFAI leads with 9.36% vs 7.96% for SCHY. On fees, SCHY is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SCHY has been the lower-risk option at 3.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHY or DFAI?

Over the 5-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 9.36% return vs 7.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHY or DFAI?

SCHY is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for DFAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCHY or DFAI?

SCHY has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 2.26% for DFAI.

What is the main difference between SCHY and DFAI?

SCHY is categorized as Dividend, while DFAI is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for SCHY and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.76), 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.