SWSSX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX).

SWSSX is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. It was launched on May 19, 1997. VTIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 29, 2010.

Performance

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	-2.49%	12.88%	11.57%	17.07%	-20.43%	14.77%	20.12%	25.63%	-11.19%	14.76%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	-1.02%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWSSX achieves a -2.49% return, which is significantly lower than VTIAX's -1.02% return. Over the past 10 years, SWSSX has outperformed VTIAX with an annualized return of 9.50%, while VTIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.51% annualized return.

SWSSX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -8.18%
• YTD: -2.49%
• 6M: -0.36%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 11.83%
• 5Y*: 3.10%
• 10Y*: 9.50%

VTIAX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -11.11%
• YTD: -1.02%
• 6M: 3.45%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 6.87%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

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

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWSSX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VTIAX's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VTIAX

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares

SWSSX

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares

Return for Risk

SWSSX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWSSX

SWSSX Risk / Return Rank: 50
SWSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SWSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SWSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SWSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SWSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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.

	SWSSX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	1.50	-0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	1.99	-0.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.30	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.92	-0.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	7.64	-2.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWSSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWSSX and VTIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SWSSX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91	1.50	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.47	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.54	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.38	-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between SWSSX and VTIAX is 0.73, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

SWSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than VTIAX's 3.03% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	1.32%	1.29%	1.66%	1.49%	1.32%	8.88%	2.55%	6.12%	10.45%	5.22%	4.10%	6.92%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.03%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Drawdowns

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWSSX drawdown since its inception was -60.34%, which is greater than VTIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWSSX and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWSSX	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.34%	-35.83%	-24.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-11.28%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.93%	-29.56%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.81%	-35.83%	-5.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.00%	-11.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-8.15%	-2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	2.84%	+0.84%

Volatility

SWSSX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) have volatilities of 6.59% and 6.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWSSX	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	6.80%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	10.50%	+3.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.11%	15.53%	+7.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.57%	14.80%	+7.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.03%	15.83%	+8.20%