SWISX vs. BIV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both funds - SWISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SWISX returned 8.88%/yr vs 1.83%/yr for BIV. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. SWISX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.

Performance

SWISX vs. BIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWISX achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.67% return. Over the past 10 years, SWISX has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 8.88%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.83% annualized return.

SWISX

• 1D: -2.52%
• 1M: -1.61%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 9.04%
• 1Y: 18.18%
• 3Y*: 15.81%
• 5Y*: 7.96%
• 10Y*: 8.88%

BIV

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: -0.67%
• 6M: -0.33%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

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

SWISX vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	6.62%	31.59%	3.54%	18.13%	-14.30%	11.25%	8.14%	21.87%	-13.38%	25.32%
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	-0.67%	8.52%	1.57%	6.07%	-13.21%	-2.40%	9.67%	10.34%	-0.19%	3.65%

Correlation

The correlation between SWISX and BIV is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007	-0.09

The correlation between SWISX and BIV shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (all time) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SWISX vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWISX

SWISX Risk / Return Rank: 22
SWISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
SWISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SWISX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SWISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SWISX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

BIV

BIV Risk / Return Rank: 34
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

SWISX vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.

	SWISX	BIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	1.18	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	1.76	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.21	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	1.49	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	4.40	+1.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWISX vs. BIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is comparable to the BIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWISX and BIV, 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

	SWISX	BIV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	1.18	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.01	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.33	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.64	-0.34

Drawdowns

SWISX vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWISX drawdown since its inception was -60.65%, which is greater than BIV's maximum drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWISX and BIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWISX	BIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.65%	-18.95%	-41.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-3.18%	-8.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-6.07%	-7.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.42%	-18.74%	-10.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-18.95%	-14.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.13%	-2.46%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.81%	-3.39%	-11.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	1.07%	+1.97%

Volatility

SWISX vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) has a higher volatility of 4.52% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.35%. This indicates that SWISX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWISX	BIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	1.35%	+3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.65%	2.93%	+9.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	4.00%	+11.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.32%	6.40%	+9.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.89%	5.51%	+11.38%

SWISX vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWISX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWISX vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison

SWISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, less than BIV's 4.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	4.24%	4.01%	3.79%	3.09%	2.41%	3.42%	2.95%	2.75%	2.88%	2.69%	3.01%	3.02%
SWISX Schwab International Index Fund	3.33%	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 SWISX and BIV in my portfolio?

SWISX and BIV have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWISX or BIV?

SWISX has higher volatility (4.52%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWISX dropped -60.65% vs BIV's -18.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 1.18), 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.