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SWISX vs. VXUS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SWISX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - SWISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SWISX returned 9.24%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for VXUS. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWISX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

SWISX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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 VXUS's 10.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SWISX having a 9.24% annualized return and VXUS not far behind at 9.19%.

SWISX

1D
0.67%
1M
1.82%
YTD
9.37%
6M
11.67%
1Y
21.23%
3Y*
17.03%
5Y*
8.51%
10Y*
9.24%

VXUS

1D
-3.73%
1M
-1.45%
YTD
10.17%
6M
12.29%
1Y
25.97%
3Y*
17.71%
5Y*
7.67%
10Y*
9.19%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SWISX vs. VXUS - 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%
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		10.17%32.35%5.08%15.86%-16.08%8.98%10.66%21.75%-14.43%27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SWISX and VXUS is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

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

0.95

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

0.95

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

0.96

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

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011

0.96

The correlation between SWISX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SWISX vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SWISX
VXUS

Financial Services

24.4%
22.3%

Industrials

20.3%
16.1%

Technology

10.7%
18.1%

Healthcare

9.2%
7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

7.7%
8.4%

Consumer Defensive

7.0%
5.0%

Basic Materials

6.1%
7.6%

Communication Services

4.6%
4.4%

Energy

4.1%
5.2%

Utilities

4.0%
3.2%

Real Estate

2.0%
2.6%

Financial Services

SWISX
24.4%
VXUS
22.3%

Industrials

SWISX
20.3%
VXUS
16.1%

Technology

SWISX
10.7%
VXUS
18.1%

Healthcare

SWISX
9.2%
VXUS
7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

SWISX
7.7%
VXUS
8.4%

Consumer Defensive

SWISX
7.0%
VXUS
5.0%

Basic Materials

SWISX
6.1%
VXUS
7.6%

Communication Services

SWISX
4.6%
VXUS
4.4%

Energy

SWISX
4.1%
VXUS
5.2%

Utilities

SWISX
4.0%
VXUS
3.2%

Real Estate

SWISX
2.0%
VXUS
2.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Schwab International Index Fund

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Often compared with SWISX:
SWISX vs. SCHFSWISX vs. SWTSXSWISX vs. VTIAXSWISX vs. SFNNXSWISX vs. FTIHXSWISX vs. SWPPXSWISX vs. SCHE
Often compared with VXUS:
VXUS vs. VTIVXUS vs. VOOVXUS vs. VTVXUS vs. VEAVXUS vs. FZILXVXUS vs. VEUVXUS vs. SCHF

Return for Risk

SWISX vs. VXUS — 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
VXUS
VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
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. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

SWISXVXUSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
1.69

-0.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.05
2.31

-0.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.31

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.90

2.34

-0.44

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.13

9.11

-1.98

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. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWISX and VXUS, 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

SWISXVXUSDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.43

1.69

-0.26

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

0.48

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.55

0.54

+0.01

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.31

0.37

-0.07

Drawdowns

SWISX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWISX drawdown since its inception was -60.65%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWISX and VXUS.

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Drawdown Indicators

SWISXVXUSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.65%

-35.97%

-24.68%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.39%

-11.27%

-0.12%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.68%

-13.58%

-0.10%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.42%

-29.44%

+0.02%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.83%

-35.97%

+2.14%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.63%

-4.52%

+3.89%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.81%

-8.21%

-6.60%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.03%

2.89%

+0.14%

Volatility

SWISX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) is 4.51%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that SWISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SWISXVXUSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.51%

6.16%

-1.65%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.38%

13.58%

-1.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.17%

15.67%

-0.50%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.28%

16.12%

+0.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.88%

17.19%

-0.31%

SWISX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWISX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% 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. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

SWISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, more than VXUS's 2.75% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		2.75%3.18%3.37%3.24%3.09%3.10%2.14%3.06%3.18%2.73%2.93%2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.95, SWISX and VXUS 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.

VXUS has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to SWISX (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWISX dropped -60.65% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 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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