VSS vs. SCHH
VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) and SCHH (Schwab US REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, while SCHH is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VSS returned 7.62%/yr vs 3.75%/yr for SCHH. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.
Performance
VSS vs. SCHH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSS achieves a 4.76% return, which is significantly lower than SCHH's 18.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VSS has outperformed SCHH with an annualized return of 7.62%, while SCHH has yielded a comparatively lower 3.75% annualized return.
VSS
- 1D
- -0.93%
- 1M
- -5.21%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- YTD
- 4.76%
- 1Y
- 14.08%
- 3Y*
- 12.89%
- 5Y*
- 5.01%
- 10Y*
- 7.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.58%
SCHH
- 1D
- -0.45%
- 1M
- 5.53%
- 6M
- 13.48%
- YTD
- 18.75%
- 1Y
- 18.40%
- 3Y*
- 10.21%
- 5Y*
- 3.48%
- 10Y*
- 3.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.23%
VSS vs. SCHH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 4.76% | 29.61% | 2.94% | 15.52% | -21.48% | 13.05% | 11.81% | 21.36% | -18.48% | 30.61% |
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF | 18.75% | 2.20% | 4.99% | 11.18% | -24.99% | 41.07% | -14.81% | 22.85% | -4.26% | 3.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSS and SCHH is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011 | 0.52 |
The correlation between VSS and SCHH shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VSS vs. SCHH — Risk / Return Rank
VSS
SCHH
VSS vs. SCHH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) and Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH). 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.
| VSS | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.23 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.22 | 2.23 | -1.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.12 | 7.01 | -2.89 |
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Drawdowns
VSS vs. SCHH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSS drawdown since its inception was -43.51%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHH drawdown of -44.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSS and SCHH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSS | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.51% | -44.22% | +0.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.62% | -8.28% | -3.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.73% | -17.76% | +2.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.93% | -33.28% | -0.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.51% | -44.22% | +0.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.70% | -0.45% | -7.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.60% | -9.38% | -0.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.43% | 2.63% | +0.80% |
Volatility
VSS vs. SCHH - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) and Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH) have volatilities of 4.76% and 4.58%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VSS | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.76% | 4.58% | +0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.24% | 11.04% | +3.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.08% | 14.09% | +1.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.65% | 18.77% | -2.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.12% | 21.03% | -3.91% |
VSS vs. SCHH - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VSS and SCHH have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VSS vs. SCHH - Dividend Comparison
VSS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than SCHH's 2.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF | 2.70% | 3.04% | 3.22% | 3.24% | 2.55% | 1.50% | 2.86% | 2.86% | 3.64% | 2.22% | 2.81% | 2.48% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 3.33% | 3.39% | 3.44% | 3.14% | 2.30% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.80% | 2.83% | 2.93% | 2.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VSS and SCHH have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSS has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to SCHH (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSS dropped -43.51% vs SCHH's -44.22%.
On 10-year performance, VSS leads with 7.62% vs 3.75% for SCHH. Both ETFs have the same 0.07% expense ratio. On volatility, SCHH has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VSS has performed better with a 7.62% return vs 3.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSS and SCHH have the same expense ratio: 0.07% per year.
VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 2.70% for SCHH.
VSS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while SCHH is REIT. VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, while SCHH tracks Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab.
SCHH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 0.88), 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.
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