SWTSX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SWTSX (Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - SWTSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, 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, SWTSX returned 14.89%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWTSX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWTSX achieves a 9.15% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 13.69% return. Over the past 10 years, SWTSX has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 14.89%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.22% annualized return.

SWTSX

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 9.15%
• 6M: 9.22%
• 1Y: 25.64%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 12.09%
• 10Y*: 14.89%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: 13.69%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 30.12%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWTSX Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund	9.15%	17.04%	23.84%	26.05%	-19.54%	25.65%	20.71%	30.90%	-5.35%	21.08%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	13.69%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SWTSX and VXUS is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.82

The correlation between SWTSX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SWTSX	VXUS
Technology	33.8%	18.1%
Financial Services	12.1%	22.3%
Communication Services	10.3%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	8.4%
Industrials	9.6%	16.1%
Healthcare	9.1%	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	5.0%
Energy	3.7%	5.2%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.6%
Utilities	2.3%	3.2%
Basic Materials	2.1%	7.6%

Return for Risk

SWTSX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWTSX

SWTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
SWTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SWTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SWTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SWTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SWTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 61
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SWTSX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.77	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.44	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.33	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.53	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	9.72	+2.68

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWTSX 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.

Drawdowns

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWTSX drawdown since its inception was -54.60%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWTSX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWTSX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.60%	-35.97%	-18.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-11.27%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.43%	-13.58%	-5.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-29.44%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.01%	-35.97%	+0.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-1.47%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.56%	-8.21%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.93%	-0.95%

Volatility

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) is 4.62%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.71%. This indicates that SWTSX 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.

Volatility by Period

	SWTSX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	6.71%	-2.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	14.02%	-4.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	16.09%	-3.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	16.21%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.63%	17.20%	+1.43%

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWTSX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VXUS's 0.05% 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%.

Dividends

SWTSX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

SWTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than VXUS's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWTSX Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund	1.01%	1.10%	1.24%	1.41%	1.62%	1.46%	1.63%	1.92%	2.58%	1.83%	2.32%	2.79%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.67%	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

Can I hold both SWTSX and VXUS in my portfolio?

SWTSX and VXUS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWTSX or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to SWTSX (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWTSX dropped -54.60% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.77), 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.