VDGR.AX vs. SCHF

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VDGR.AX (Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDGR.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Growth Composite 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 5 years, VDGR.AX returned 6.32%/yr vs 11.66%/yr for SCHF. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDGR.AX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VDGR.AX is traded in AUD, while SCHF is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SCHF values have been converted to AUD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDGR.AX achieves a 3.70% return, which is significantly lower than SCHF's 9.76% return.

VDGR.AX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 3.29%
• YTD: 3.70%
• 1Y: 9.56%
• 3Y*: 10.85%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: —

SCHF

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: -0.42%
• 6M: 5.66%
• YTD: 9.76%
• 1Y: 21.29%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: 11.16%

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

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.70%	11.12%	12.97%	12.54%	-10.56%	12.28%	7.09%	19.35%	-1.25%	1.14%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	9.76%	24.78%	13.67%	18.44%	-9.16%	17.93%	-0.14%	22.83%	-5.10%	-0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VDGR.AX and SCHF is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2017	0.13

Return for Risk

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDGR.AX

VDGR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VDGR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VDGR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 67
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) 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.

	VDGR.AX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.67	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	2.39	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.31	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	2.07	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.87	8.23	-2.36

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDGR.AX 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

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDGR.AX drawdown since its inception was -23.90%, smaller than the maximum SCHF drawdown of -25.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDGR.AX and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDGR.AX	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.90%	-25.24%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.99%	-10.35%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.00%	-10.35%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.79%	-19.33%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-25.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-2.12%	+1.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.35%	-5.11%	+1.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	2.59%	-0.90%

Volatility

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) is 1.33%, while Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) has a volatility of 3.86%. This indicates that VDGR.AX 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

	VDGR.AX	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	3.86%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.65%	11.29%	-4.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.96%	12.85%	-4.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.97%	11.98%	-3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.61%	13.51%	-3.90%

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDGR.AX has a 0.27% 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

VDGR.AX vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

VDGR.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, more than SCHF's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	3.07%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.67%	3.04%	1.60%	2.04%	3.42%	8.07%	5.20%	2.91%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDGR.AX and SCHF in my portfolio?

VDGR.AX and SCHF have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDGR.AX or SCHF?

On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDGR.AX or SCHF?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for VDGR.AX.

What is the main difference between VDGR.AX and SCHF?

VDGR.AX is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while SCHF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VDGR.AX tracks Growth Composite Index, while SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for VDGR.AX and 0.06% for SCHF.