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VXUS vs. SWISX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VXUS vs. SWISX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and SWISX (Schwab International Index Fund) are both funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while SWISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 9.76%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for SWISX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SWISX.

Performance

VXUS vs. SWISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 14.25% return, which is significantly higher than SWISX's 9.54% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VXUS having a 9.76% annualized return and SWISX not far behind at 9.33%.

VXUS

1D
-0.99%
1M
4.68%
YTD
14.25%
6M
16.92%
1Y
32.01%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
8.46%
10Y*
9.76%

SWISX

1D
0.35%
1M
4.10%
YTD
9.54%
6M
11.96%
1Y
22.29%
3Y*
17.02%
5Y*
8.74%
10Y*
9.33%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VXUS vs. SWISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		14.25%32.35%5.08%15.86%-16.08%8.98%10.66%21.75%-14.43%27.46%
SWISX
Schwab International Index Fund		9.54%31.59%3.54%18.13%-14.30%11.25%8.14%21.87%-13.38%25.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and SWISX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.95

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.95

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.96

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011

0.96

The correlation between VXUS and SWISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VXUS vs. SWISX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VXUS
SWISX

Financial Services

22.3%
24.4%

Technology

18.1%
10.7%

Industrials

16.1%
20.3%

Consumer Cyclical

8.4%
7.7%

Basic Materials

7.6%
6.1%

Healthcare

7.1%
9.2%

Energy

5.2%
4.1%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
7.0%

Communication Services

4.4%
4.6%

Utilities

3.2%
4.0%

Real Estate

2.6%
2.0%

Financial Services

VXUS
22.3%
SWISX
24.4%

Technology

VXUS
18.1%
SWISX
10.7%

Industrials

VXUS
16.1%
SWISX
20.3%

Consumer Cyclical

VXUS
8.4%
SWISX
7.7%

Basic Materials

VXUS
7.6%
SWISX
6.1%

Healthcare

VXUS
7.1%
SWISX
9.2%

Energy

VXUS
5.2%
SWISX
4.1%

Consumer Defensive

VXUS
5.0%
SWISX
7.0%

Communication Services

VXUS
4.4%
SWISX
4.6%

Utilities

VXUS
3.2%
SWISX
4.0%

Real Estate

VXUS
2.6%
SWISX
2.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Schwab International Index Fund

Often compared with VXUS:
VXUS vs. VTIVXUS vs. VOOVXUS vs. VTVXUS vs. VEAVXUS vs. FZILXVXUS vs. VEUVXUS vs. SCHF
Often compared with SWISX:
SWISX vs. SCHFSWISX vs. SWTSXSWISX vs. VTIAXSWISX vs. SFNNXSWISX vs. FTIHXSWISX vs. SWPPXSWISX vs. SCHE

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. SWISX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VXUS
VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
SWISX
SWISX Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
SWISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SWISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
SWISX Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
SWISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
SWISX Martin Ratio Rank: 3030
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VXUS vs. SWISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX). 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.

VXUSSWISXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
1.41

+0.70

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.90
2.03

+0.87

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.26

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.85

1.88

+0.97

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.14

7.06

+4.08

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXUS vs. SWISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is higher than the SWISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS and SWISX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VXUSSWISXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.12

1.41

+0.70

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

0.54

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.57

0.55

+0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.39

0.31

+0.08

Drawdowns

VXUS vs. SWISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum SWISX drawdown of -60.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and SWISX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VXUSSWISXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-35.97%

-60.65%

+24.68%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.27%

-11.39%

+0.12%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.58%

-13.68%

+0.10%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.44%

-29.42%

-0.02%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.97%

-33.83%

-2.14%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.99%

-0.47%

-0.52%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.22%

-14.81%

+6.59%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.88%

3.03%

-0.15%

Volatility

VXUS vs. SWISX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 5.60% compared to Schwab International Index Fund (SWISX) at 4.69%. This indicates that VXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VXUSSWISXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.60%

4.69%

+0.91%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.00%

12.35%

+0.65%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.21%

15.18%

+0.03%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.05%

16.28%

-0.23%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.16%

16.88%

+0.28%

VXUS vs. SWISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SWISX's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VXUS vs. SWISX - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than SWISX's 3.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SWISX
Schwab International Index Fund		3.24%3.55%3.29%3.31%2.73%3.34%1.88%3.09%3.15%2.71%3.19%2.71%
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		2.66%3.18%3.37%3.24%3.09%3.10%2.14%3.06%3.18%2.73%2.93%2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.95, VXUS and SWISX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

VXUS has higher volatility (5.60%) compared to SWISX (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs SWISX's -60.65%.

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.41), 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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