USRT vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, while SCHF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USRT returned 6.67%/yr vs 10.82%/yr for SCHF. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USRT charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

USRT vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USRT achieves a 17.79% return, which is significantly higher than SCHF's 15.39% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 6.67%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.82% annualized return.

USRT

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 3.13%
• YTD: 17.79%
• 6M: 17.95%
• 1Y: 19.33%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 5.06%
• 10Y*: 6.67%

SCHF

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 15.39%
• 6M: 17.24%
• 1Y: 30.20%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 10.82%

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

USRT vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	17.79%	2.44%	8.58%	13.64%	-24.43%	43.26%	-8.06%	25.98%	-4.67%	5.27%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	15.39%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between USRT and SCHF is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2009	0.54

The correlation between USRT and SCHF shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USRT vs. SCHF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRT	SCHF
Real Estate	99.4%	0.2%
Financial Services	0.1%	24.0%
Basic Materials	-	5.8%
Communication Services	-	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	5.5%
Healthcare	-	7.3%
Industrials	-	8.9%
Technology	-	21.4%
Utilities	-	1.0%

Return for Risk

USRT vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRT

USRT Risk / Return Rank: 48
USRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
USRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
USRT Omega Ratio Rank: 44
USRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
USRT Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 63
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

USRT vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). 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.

	USRT	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.82	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	2.52	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.33	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.64	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	10.14	-2.35

USRT vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRT Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRT and SCHF, 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

USRT vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.92%, which is greater than SCHF's maximum drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRT	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.92%	-34.87%	-35.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-11.48%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.70%	-13.41%	-5.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.03%	-29.14%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.38%	-34.87%	-9.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.00%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.96%	-7.37%	-5.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	2.99%	-0.50%

Volatility

USRT vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) is 4.71%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 6.91%. This indicates that USRT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USRT	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	6.91%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.64%	14.42%	-4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.57%	16.67%	-3.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	16.56%	+2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.30%	17.24%	+4.06%

USRT vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRT has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% 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

USRT vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than SCHF's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	2.96%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	2.56%	3.07%	2.85%	3.18%	3.46%	2.27%	3.12%	3.34%	5.66%	3.44%	3.98%	3.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRT and SCHF in my portfolio?

USRT and SCHF have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRT or SCHF?

SCHF has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to USRT (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.92% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which ETF is better, USRT or SCHF?

On 10-year performance, SCHF leads with 10.82% vs 6.67% for USRT. On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, USRT has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USRT or SCHF?

Over the 10-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 10.82% return vs 6.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRT or SCHF?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for USRT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USRT or SCHF?

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 2.56% for USRT.

What is the main difference between USRT and SCHF?

USRT is categorized as REIT, while SCHF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. USRT tracks FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, while SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USRT and 0.06% for SCHF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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.