SWMIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SWMIX (Schwab International Opportunities Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - SWMIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Charles Schwab, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, SWMIX returned 7.67%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SWMIX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SWMIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Opportunities Fund (SWMIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWMIX achieves a 13.10% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, SWMIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 7.67%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

SWMIX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 4.82%
• YTD: 13.10%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 18.47%
• 3Y*: 12.68%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 7.67%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

SWMIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWMIX Schwab International Opportunities Fund	13.10%	21.83%	0.91%	12.52%	-25.35%	5.78%	23.94%	26.07%	-19.12%	33.64%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SWMIX and SPY is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2004	0.80

The correlation between SWMIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWMIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWMIX

SWMIX Risk / Return Rank: 16
SWMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SWMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SWMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
SWMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
SWMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

SWMIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Opportunities Fund (SWMIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	SWMIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.52	-1.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	3.42	-1.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.46	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	3.42	-1.95
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.34	15.93	-10.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWMIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWMIX and SPY, 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

	SWMIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	2.52	-1.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.84	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.87	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.21

Drawdowns

SWMIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWMIX drawdown since its inception was -61.81%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWMIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWMIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.81%	-55.19%	-6.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.90%	-8.88%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.56%	-18.76%	+2.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.51%	-24.50%	-16.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.51%	-33.72%	-6.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.66%	-9.05%	-3.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	1.91%	+1.64%

Volatility

SWMIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Opportunities Fund (SWMIX) has a higher volatility of 5.30% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that SWMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWMIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.30%	2.75%	+2.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	8.89%	+6.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.93%	11.81%	+6.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.15%	17.05%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.31%	17.94%	+0.37%

SWMIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWMIX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWMIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SWMIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
SWMIX Schwab International Opportunities Fund	0.00%	0.00%	2.04%	1.73%	3.59%	17.50%	6.16%	1.94%	10.57%	4.60%	0.87%	7.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWMIX and SPY in my portfolio?

SWMIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWMIX or SPY?

SWMIX has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWMIX dropped -61.81% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.11), 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.