SFENX vs. ESCIX
SFENX (Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) and ESCIX (Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SFENX returned 9.83%/yr vs 9.13%/yr for ESCIX. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SFENX charges 0.39%/yr vs 1.52%/yr for ESCIX.
Performance
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SFENX achieves a 13.49% return, which is significantly higher than ESCIX's 8.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SFENX has outperformed ESCIX with an annualized return of 9.83%, while ESCIX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.13% annualized return.
SFENX
- 1D
- 1.90%
- 1M
- 3.71%
- 6M
- 5.58%
- YTD
- 13.49%
- 1Y
- 27.98%
- 3Y*
- 17.96%
- 5Y*
- 10.51%
- 10Y*
- 9.83%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.18%
ESCIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 0.50%
- YTD
- 8.91%
- 1Y
- 23.63%
- 3Y*
- 13.53%
- 5Y*
- 4.21%
- 10Y*
- 9.13%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.55%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 13.49% | 29.19% | 12.31% | 14.90% | -15.50% | 13.91% | -3.01% | 19.46% | -9.96% | 26.44% |
ESCIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund | 8.91% | 26.07% | 3.55% | 19.64% | -24.45% | 11.93% | 43.41% | 15.24% | -22.01% | 28.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between SFENX and ESCIX is 0.42, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011 | 0.71 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SFENX and ESCIX has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
SFENX vs. ESCIX — Risk / Return Rank
SFENX
ESCIX
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX) and Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund (ESCIX). 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.
| SFENX | ESCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.53 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.73 | 3.92 | -1.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.14 | 17.72 | -9.57 |
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Drawdowns
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SFENX drawdown since its inception was -47.19%, roughly equal to the maximum ESCIX drawdown of -48.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFENX and ESCIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SFENX | ESCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.19% | -48.76% | +1.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.45% | -5.70% | -3.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.51% | -19.97% | +3.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.26% | -36.59% | +7.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.59% | -48.76% | +9.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.23% | -0.74% | -2.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.81% | -13.21% | +0.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.16% | 1.49% | +1.67% |
Volatility
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Volatility Comparison
Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SFENX) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund (ESCIX) at 0.00%. This indicates that SFENX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESCIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SFENX | ESCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.35% | 0.00% | +4.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.98% | 5.66% | +6.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.34% | 10.28% | +4.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.56% | 15.57% | -0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.79% | 17.48% | -0.69% |
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SFENX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than ESCIX's 1.52% expense ratio.
Dividends
SFENX vs. ESCIX - Dividend Comparison
SFENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, more than ESCIX's 0.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESCIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund | 0.42% | 0.91% | 0.00% | 0.56% | 0.60% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.11% | 1.66% | 1.16% | 0.00% |
SFENX Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 3.46% | 3.93% | 4.67% | 5.00% | 5.46% | 4.61% | 2.95% | 3.82% | 2.90% | 2.37% | 2.16% | 3.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SFENX and ESCIX have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SFENX has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to ESCIX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFENX dropped -47.19% vs ESCIX's -48.76%.
ESCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.80), 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.
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