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SWISX vs. SCHF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SWISX vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Charles Schwab - SWISX tracks the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SWISX returned 9.24%/yr vs 9.74%/yr for SCHF. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.

Performance

SWISX vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWISX achieves a 9.37% return, which is significantly lower than SCHF's 11.52% return. Over the past 10 years, SWISX has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 9.24%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 9.74% annualized return.

SWISX

1D
0.67%
1M
0.13%
YTD
9.37%
6M
11.67%
1Y
21.69%
3Y*
17.03%
5Y*
8.51%
10Y*
9.24%

SCHF

1D
-3.77%
1M
-2.05%
YTD
11.52%
6M
14.00%
1Y
27.39%
3Y*
18.36%
5Y*
9.07%
10Y*
9.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SWISX vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SWISX
Schwab International Index Fund		9.37%31.59%3.54%18.13%-14.30%11.25%8.14%21.87%-13.38%25.32%
SCHF
Schwab International Equity ETF		11.52%34.55%3.28%18.35%-14.80%11.40%9.48%22.26%-14.29%26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SWISX and SCHF is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

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

0.97

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

0.98

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

0.98

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009

0.98

The correlation between SWISX and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

SWISX vs. SCHF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SWISX
SCHF

Financial Services

24.4%
20.6%

Industrials

20.3%
11.5%

Technology

10.7%
15.7%

Healthcare

9.2%
6.5%

Consumer Cyclical

7.7%
5.7%

Consumer Defensive

7.0%
4.9%

Basic Materials

6.1%
6.5%

Communication Services

4.6%
2.3%

Energy

4.1%
5.0%

Utilities

4.0%
1.7%

Real Estate

2.0%
1.7%

Financial Services

SWISX
24.4%
SCHF
20.6%

Industrials

SWISX
20.3%
SCHF
11.5%

Technology

SWISX
10.7%
SCHF
15.7%

Healthcare

SWISX
9.2%
SCHF
6.5%

Consumer Cyclical

SWISX
7.7%
SCHF
5.7%

Consumer Defensive

SWISX
7.0%
SCHF
4.9%

Basic Materials

SWISX
6.1%
SCHF
6.5%

Communication Services

SWISX
4.6%
SCHF
2.3%

Energy

SWISX
4.1%
SCHF
5.0%

Utilities

SWISX
4.0%
SCHF
1.7%

Real Estate

SWISX
2.0%
SCHF
1.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Schwab International Index Fund

Schwab International Equity ETF

Often compared with SWISX:
SWISX vs. VXUSSWISX vs. SWTSXSWISX vs. VTIAXSWISX vs. SFNNXSWISX vs. FTIHXSWISX vs. SWPPXSWISX vs. SCHE
Often compared with SCHF:
SCHF vs. VXUSSCHF vs. VEASCHF vs. SCHYSCHF vs. SCHESCHF vs. FNDFSCHF vs. SCHBSCHF vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

SWISX vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SWISX
SWISX Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
SWISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SWISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
SWISX Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
SWISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
SWISX Martin Ratio Rank: 3333
Martin Ratio Rank
SCHF
SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
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.

SWISX vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). 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.

SWISXSCHFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
1.70

-0.27

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.05
2.33

-0.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.31

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

2.40

-0.50

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.13

9.27

-2.14

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. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWISX and SCHF, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SWISXSCHFDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.43

1.70

-0.27

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

0.55

-0.03

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.55

0.57

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.31

0.42

-0.12

Drawdowns

SWISX vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWISX drawdown since its inception was -60.65%, which is greater than SCHF's maximum drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWISX and SCHF.

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Drawdown Indicators

SWISXSCHFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.65%

-34.87%

-25.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.39%

-11.48%

+0.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.68%

-13.41%

-0.27%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.42%

-29.14%

-0.28%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.83%

-34.87%

+1.04%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.63%

-4.32%

+3.69%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.81%

-7.38%

-7.43%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.03%

2.96%

+0.07%

Volatility

SWISX vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) is 4.51%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 6.24%. This indicates that SWISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SWISXSCHFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.51%

6.24%

-1.73%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.38%

13.91%

-1.53%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.17%

16.19%

-1.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.28%

16.46%

-0.18%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.88%

17.22%

-0.34%

SWISX vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SWISX and SCHF have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWISX vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

SWISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, more than SCHF's 3.06% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SCHF
Schwab International Equity ETF		3.06%3.42%3.26%2.97%2.80%3.19%2.08%2.95%3.06%2.35%2.58%2.26%
SWISX
Schwab International Index Fund		3.25%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

With a correlation of 0.97, SWISX and SCHF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

SCHF has higher volatility (6.24%) compared to SWISX (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWISX dropped -60.65% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.43), 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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