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SFSNX vs. EEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SFSNX vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SFSNX (Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - SFSNX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Charles Schwab, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, SFSNX returned 11.20%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SFSNX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

SFSNX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFSNX achieves a 17.14% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SFSNX has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 11.20%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.

SFSNX

1D
2.55%
1M
4.00%
YTD
17.14%
6M
14.64%
1Y
34.12%
3Y*
15.66%
5Y*
7.28%
10Y*
11.20%

EEM

1D
0.56%
1M
0.74%
YTD
24.07%
6M
26.94%
1Y
47.57%
3Y*
21.60%
5Y*
6.56%
10Y*
9.91%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SFSNX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SFSNX
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund		17.14%7.66%8.99%20.15%-14.79%30.91%8.49%24.44%-12.26%12.84%
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		24.07%33.98%6.49%8.95%-20.56%-3.63%17.02%18.22%-15.31%37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SFSNX and EEM is 0.60, 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

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.60

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.60

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008

0.68

The correlation between SFSNX and EEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

SFSNX vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SFSNX
EEM

Industrials

19.1%
6.6%

Technology

15.1%
44.3%

Financial Services

14.5%
17.7%

Consumer Cyclical

12.2%
8.3%

Real Estate

9.8%
1.0%

Healthcare

6.8%
2.5%

Energy

6.1%
3.4%

Basic Materials

5.2%
5.9%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
2.5%

Communication Services

4.2%
6.0%

Utilities

2.8%
1.8%

Industrials

SFSNX
19.1%
EEM
6.6%

Technology

SFSNX
15.1%
EEM
44.3%

Financial Services

SFSNX
14.5%
EEM
17.7%

Consumer Cyclical

SFSNX
12.2%
EEM
8.3%

Real Estate

SFSNX
9.8%
EEM
1.0%

Healthcare

SFSNX
6.8%
EEM
2.5%

Energy

SFSNX
6.1%
EEM
3.4%

Basic Materials

SFSNX
5.2%
EEM
5.9%

Consumer Defensive

SFSNX
4.2%
EEM
2.5%

Communication Services

SFSNX
4.2%
EEM
6.0%

Utilities

SFSNX
2.8%
EEM
1.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with SFSNX:
SFSNX vs. SWSSXSFSNX vs. AVUVSFSNX vs. VBRSFSNX vs. NEAGXSFSNX vs. TSCGXSFSNX vs. FSLCXSFSNX vs. SFLNX
Often compared with EEM:
EEM vs. VWOEEM vs. SPYEEM vs. IEMGEEM vs. IS3N.DEEEM vs. VXUSEEM vs. EEMSEEM vs. SPEM

Return for Risk

SFSNX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SFSNX
SFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
SFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
SFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
SFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
SFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
EEM
EEM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SFSNX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

SFSNXEEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.82
2.10

-0.28

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.63
2.73

-0.10

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.40

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.36

3.36

-0.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.94

12.38

-1.45

SFSNX vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFSNX and EEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SFSNX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFSNX drawdown since its inception was -58.32%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFSNX and EEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SFSNXEEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.32%

-66.43%

+8.11%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.43%

-13.52%

+4.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.91%

-17.29%

-8.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.91%

-37.49%

+11.58%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.82%

-39.82%

-5.00%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-4.12%

+4.12%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.30%

-16.00%

+7.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.89%

3.67%

-0.78%

Volatility

SFSNX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) is 5.25%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 10.80%. This indicates that SFSNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SFSNXEEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.25%

10.80%

-5.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.32%

19.39%

-7.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.42%

21.64%

-4.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.86%

19.26%

+1.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.29%

20.64%

+2.65%

SFSNX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFSNX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFSNX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

SFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than EEM's 1.79% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		1.79%2.22%2.43%2.63%2.50%1.99%1.45%2.76%2.24%1.89%1.89%2.49%
SFSNX
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund		1.16%1.36%1.71%1.37%7.05%12.27%1.42%3.66%11.55%6.88%1.86%6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

SFSNX and EEM have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EEM has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to SFSNX (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFSNX dropped -58.32% vs EEM's -66.43%.

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.82), 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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