SFREX vs. SWISX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SFREX (Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund) and SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) are both mutual funds - SFREX is a REIT fund managed by Charles Schwab, while SWISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, SFREX returned 3.15%/yr vs 9.55%/yr for SWISX. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SFREX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SWISX.

Performance

SFREX vs. SWISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) and Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFREX achieves a 8.19% return, which is significantly lower than SWISX's 12.43% return. Over the past 10 years, SFREX has underperformed SWISX with an annualized return of 3.15%, while SWISX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.55% annualized return.

SFREX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.94%
• 6M: 3.25%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 1Y: 10.56%
• 3Y*: 9.26%
• 5Y*: 0.88%
• 10Y*: 3.15%
• ALL TIME*: 3.56%

SWISX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 1.83%
• 6M: 6.32%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 1Y: 24.26%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 9.22%
• 10Y*: 9.55%
• ALL TIME*: 5.89%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SFREX Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SFREX vs. SWISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFREX Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund	8.19%	11.26%	3.05%	4.10%	-21.06%	18.56%	-11.16%	22.61%	-8.26%	20.07%
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	12.43%	31.59%	3.54%	18.13%	-14.30%	11.25%	8.14%	21.87%	-13.38%	25.32%

Correlation

The correlation between SFREX and SWISX is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.73

The correlation between SFREX and SWISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFREX vs. SWISX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SFREX

SFREX Risk / Return Rank: 24
SFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
SFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
SFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

SWISX

SWISX Risk / Return Rank: 61
SWISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SWISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SWISX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SWISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SWISX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SFREX vs. SWISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) and Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX). 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.

	SFREX	SWISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.64	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.33	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.30	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	2.28	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.01	8.65	-5.64

SFREX vs. SWISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is lower than the SWISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFREX and SWISX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SFREX vs. SWISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFREX drawdown since its inception was -41.98%, smaller than the maximum SWISX drawdown of -60.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFREX and SWISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFREX	SWISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.98%	-60.65%	+18.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-11.39%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.54%	-13.68%	-6.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.90%	-29.42%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.98%	-33.83%	-8.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-0.22%	-1.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.35%	-14.73%	+4.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.97%	3.00%	+0.97%

Volatility

SFREX vs. SWISX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) is 3.02%, while Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that SFREX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SWISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFREX	SWISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.02%	4.45%	-1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	13.53%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	15.88%	-3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	16.43%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	16.63%	+1.31%

SFREX vs. SWISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFREX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than SWISX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFREX vs. SWISX - Dividend Comparison

SFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than SWISX's 3.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFREX Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund	3.30%	3.51%	3.75%	3.53%	2.89%	2.92%	3.46%	4.10%	5.45%	2.78%	5.00%	1.29%
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	3.16%	3.55%	3.29%	3.31%	2.73%	3.34%	1.88%	3.09%	3.15%	2.71%	3.19%	2.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFREX and SWISX in my portfolio?

SFREX and SWISX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFREX or SWISX?

SWISX has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to SFREX (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFREX dropped -41.98% vs SWISX's -60.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.98), 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.