VWIGX vs. FNDF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWIGX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares) and FNDF (Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF) are both funds - VWIGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while FNDF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity Developed ex US Large Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, VWIGX returned 10.03%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for FNDF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWIGX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDF.

Performance

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWIGX) and Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWIGX achieves a 6.19% return, which is significantly lower than FNDF's 21.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VWIGX has underperformed FNDF with an annualized return of 10.03%, while FNDF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.93% annualized return.

VWIGX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 6.71%
• 1Y: 13.68%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: -0.93%
• 10Y*: 10.03%

FNDF

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 6.97%
• YTD: 21.21%
• 6M: 24.72%
• 1Y: 44.71%
• 3Y*: 24.10%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

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

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWIGX Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares	6.19%	19.96%	9.07%	14.65%	-30.86%	-11.18%	59.57%	31.36%	-12.68%	42.98%
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF	21.21%	40.99%	2.29%	20.22%	-7.78%	14.97%	3.61%	18.46%	-14.21%	23.98%

Correlation

The correlation between VWIGX and FNDF is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.81

The correlation between VWIGX and FNDF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWIGX	FNDF
Technology	27.5%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	17.5%	10.7%
Industrials	13.3%	15.9%
Financial Services	12.2%	16.7%
Healthcare	10.6%	5.5%
Communication Services	6.2%	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	6.9%
Basic Materials	2.6%	11.3%
Energy	1.9%	12.3%
Utilities	0.5%	3.8%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

VWIGX vs. FNDF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWIGX

VWIGX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VWIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VWIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VWIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VWIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VWIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

FNDF

FNDF Risk / Return Rank: 84
FNDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FNDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FNDF Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FNDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FNDF Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWIGX) and Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF). 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.

	VWIGX	FNDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	2.99	-2.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	3.89	-2.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.53	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	4.24	-3.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.07	16.19	-13.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWIGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the FNDF Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWIGX and FNDF, 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

	VWIGX	FNDF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	2.99	-2.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	0.83	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.68	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.54	-0.06

Drawdowns

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWIGX drawdown since its inception was -59.58%, which is greater than FNDF's maximum drawdown of -40.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWIGX and FNDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWIGX	FNDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.58%	-40.14%	-19.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.06%	-10.60%	-3.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.04%	-13.89%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.69%	-25.56%	-27.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.25%	-40.14%	-13.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.47%	-0.67%	-12.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.80%	-7.64%	-6.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	2.77%	+1.60%

Volatility

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWIGX) is 4.72%, while Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) has a volatility of 5.26%. This indicates that VWIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FNDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWIGX	FNDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	5.26%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	12.53%	+1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.96%	15.06%	+2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.25%	16.18%	+7.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.60%	17.67%	+3.93%

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWIGX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDF's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWIGX vs. FNDF - Dividend Comparison

VWIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.35%, more than FNDF's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDF Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF	2.84%	3.44%	4.01%	3.41%	3.10%	3.54%	2.17%	3.20%	3.47%	2.32%	2.42%	2.08%
VWIGX Vanguard International Growth Fund Investor Shares	6.35%	6.74%	9.68%	1.82%	6.90%	2.36%	2.28%	1.20%	5.34%	0.84%	1.26%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWIGX and FNDF in my portfolio?

VWIGX and FNDF have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWIGX or FNDF?

FNDF has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to VWIGX (4.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWIGX dropped -59.58% vs FNDF's -40.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 0.75), 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.