WBIGX vs. SCHF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WBIGX (William Blair International Growth Fund) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, WBIGX returned 8.21%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for SCHF. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WBIGX charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in William Blair International Growth Fund (WBIGX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with WBIGX having a 14.85% return and SCHF slightly higher at 15.56%. Over the past 10 years, WBIGX has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 8.21%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

WBIGX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 5.93%
• YTD: 14.85%
• 6M: 17.76%
• 1Y: 22.95%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 2.75%
• 10Y*: 8.21%

SCHF

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 5.91%
• YTD: 15.56%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 32.67%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 9.84%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WBIGX William Blair International Growth Fund	14.85%	17.90%	2.11%	15.16%	-28.65%	8.61%	31.66%	30.25%	-17.99%	29.10%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	15.56%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between WBIGX and SCHF is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009	0.85

The correlation between WBIGX and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WBIGX vs. SCHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WBIGX

WBIGX Risk / Return Rank: 28
WBIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
WBIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
WBIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
WBIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
WBIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 59
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for William Blair International Growth Fund (WBIGX) 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.

	WBIGX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.09	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.87	-0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	2.86	-1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.79	11.11	-4.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WBIGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WBIGX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WBIGX	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	2.09	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.60	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.60	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.44	+0.07

Drawdowns

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WBIGX drawdown since its inception was -65.35%, which is greater than SCHF's maximum drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WBIGX and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WBIGX	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.35%	-34.87%	-30.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.23%	-11.48%	-1.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.22%	-13.41%	-3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.18%	-29.14%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.18%	-34.87%	-6.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.86%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.76%	-7.38%	-7.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.51%	2.95%	+0.56%

Volatility

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

William Blair International Growth Fund (WBIGX) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) have volatilities of 5.45% and 5.66%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	WBIGX	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.45%	5.66%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.81%	13.34%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	15.74%	-0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.69%	16.39%	+0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	17.18%	+0.05%

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

WBIGX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

WBIGX vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

WBIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.52%, more 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%
WBIGX William Blair International Growth Fund	16.52%	18.97%	7.47%	3.38%	7.92%	11.75%	0.82%	1.07%	8.56%	1.28%	1.51%	0.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WBIGX and SCHF in my portfolio?

WBIGX and SCHF have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WBIGX or SCHF?

SCHF has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to WBIGX (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WBIGX dropped -65.35% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.58), 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.