SWYMX vs. WAESX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SWYMX (Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund) and WAESX (Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund) are both mutual funds - SWYMX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Charles Schwab, while WAESX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Wasatch. Over the past 5 years, SWYMX returned 9.96%/yr vs -0.87%/yr for WAESX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SWYMX charges 0.04%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for WAESX.

Performance

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWYMX achieves a 11.75% return, which is significantly higher than WAESX's 7.03% return.

SWYMX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 4.06%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 6M: 12.78%
• 1Y: 26.98%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 9.96%
• 10Y*: —

WAESX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 7.03%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 11.75%
• 3Y*: 8.49%
• 5Y*: -0.87%
• 10Y*: 8.38%

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

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	11.75%	19.42%	14.24%	20.92%	-17.65%	17.80%	14.66%	25.34%	-7.58%	20.48%
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	7.03%	10.56%	-0.12%	17.52%	-37.38%	21.34%	48.36%	28.05%	-11.50%	37.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYMX and WAESX is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.68

The correlation between SWYMX and WAESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYMX vs. WAESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYMX

SWYMX Risk / Return Rank: 70
SWYMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SWYMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SWYMX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SWYMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SWYMX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

WAESX

WAESX Risk / Return Rank: 10
WAESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
WAESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
WAESX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
WAESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
WAESX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX). 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.

	SWYMX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	0.74	+1.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	1.17	+2.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.14	+0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	1.08	+2.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.41	3.57	+10.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the WAESX Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYMX and WAESX, 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

	SWYMX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	0.74	+1.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	-0.04	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.27	+0.47

Drawdowns

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYMX drawdown since its inception was -30.48%, smaller than the maximum WAESX drawdown of -45.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYMX and WAESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYMX	WAESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.48%	-45.85%	+15.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.55%	-11.18%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-21.75%	+6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.37%	-45.85%	+20.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-18.46%	+18.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.51%	-16.61%	+12.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	3.38%	-1.47%

Volatility

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund (SWYMX) is 3.38%, while Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX) has a volatility of 5.42%. This indicates that SWYMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WAESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYMX	WAESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	5.42%	-2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.94%	14.15%	-5.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.28%	17.09%	-5.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.72%	20.06%	-5.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.63%	19.73%	-4.10%

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYMX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than WAESX's 1.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWYMX vs. WAESX - Dividend Comparison

SWYMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, while WAESX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SWYMX Schwab Target 2050 Index Fund	1.79%	2.00%	2.03%	1.99%	1.96%	1.78%	1.65%	1.96%	2.15%	1.43%	1.22%
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYMX and WAESX in my portfolio?

SWYMX and WAESX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWYMX or WAESX?

WAESX has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to SWYMX (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYMX dropped -30.48% vs WAESX's -45.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 0.74), 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.