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Relative Intelligence · Developed International Equity

How Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on SCHF alone. It places SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where SCHF stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: SCHF's full trading record, from November 2009 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against SCHF →Chart SCHF vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in SCHF have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in SCHF over the past 12 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of SCHF over the same span and SCHF's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: The chart covers the past 12 years rather than SCHF's full 16 years, because most of its popular alternatives have not traded that long.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2014 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,348 of the 2,461 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SCHF; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,0002014201620182020202220242026$0$20,000$40,000$60,00020142017202020232026
  • DXJ$53,208+432% total · +14.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$47,240+372% total · +13.8% a year
  • BRK-B$36,046+260% total · +11.3% a year
  • JNJ$34,501+245% total · +10.9% a year
  • HEFA$33,159+232% total · +10.5% a year
  • FNDF$27,762+178% total · +8.9% a year
  • SCHF$24,973+150% total · +7.9% a year
  • SCZ$24,140+141% total · +7.6% a year
  • EFV$23,195+132% total · +7.3% a year
  • QEFA$23,072+131% total · +7.2% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,291 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of SCHF; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000202120222023202420252026
  • LVHI$21,792+118% total · +16.9% a year
  • AVDV$20,196+102% total · +15.1% a year
  • EFV$19,482+94.8% total · +14.3% a year
  • FNDF$19,446+94.5% total · +14.2% a year
  • DBEF$19,021+90.2% total · +13.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • AVDE$16,780+67.8% total · +10.9% a year
  • SCHF$16,548+65.5% total · +10.6% a year
  • QEFA$15,058+50.6% total · +8.5% a year
  • SCZ$13,195+31.9% total · +5.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

SCHF at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

Note: SCHF began trading on November 3, 2009, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

The fund

Issuer
Schwab
Began trading
November 2009
Expense ratio
0.03%per year
Assets
$68B
Category
International

Returns

Past 1 year
+17.3%total return
Past 3 years
+80.9%+21.8% a year
Past 5 years
+57.7%+9.5% a year
Past 10 years
+155%+9.8% a year
Best calendar year
+34.6%2025
Worst calendar year
−14.8%2022
Losing years
5 of 16full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
16.8%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.63return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−34.9%Jan 2018 to Mar 2020
From its all-time high
−5.3%below the peak

SCHF against the whole market

Where SCHF ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does SCHF rank among all ETFs?

This section ranks SCHF on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how SCHF stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureSCHFRankStanding
1-year return+17.3%593 of 2,485top 24%
3-year return+80.9%554 of 1,949top 28%
5-year return+57.7%550 of 1,560top 35%
10-year return+155%452 of 958top 47%
Volatility, 5 years16.8%798 of 1,560bottom 50%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.63661 of 1,560top 42%
Worst decline, past 10 years−34.9%339 of 951top 36%

What has beaten SCHF on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). SCHF sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than SCHF with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to SCHF; faint dots are 37 more of the 76 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SCHFPVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%DGRW: +11.8% a year, volatility 14.0%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%FGD: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.8%IQDF: +10.9% a year, volatility 15.8%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%AFLG: +12.3% a year, volatility 15.8%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%QDPL: +11.8% a year, volatility 15.0%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%IDV: +12.8% a year, volatility 15.5%HDEF: +12.8% a year, volatility 14.2%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%SCHF: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%SPY: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%EMXC: +11.1% a year, volatility 19.5%BBCA: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.7%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SIXA: +12.8% a year, volatility 12.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%VYM: +11.3% a year, volatility 13.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%PFM: +10.4% a year, volatility 13.4%HEFA: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%SCHFSPY (S&P 500)DBEFSPYEFVLVHIFNDFAVDVDXJEMXCBBCASIXAVTVVYMMRKPFM5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than SCHFPVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%DGRW: +11.8% a year, volatility 14.0%RWL: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.4%FJAN: +11.1% a year, volatility 10.5%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VYMI: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.8%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%EQWL: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%RODM: +10.6% a year, volatility 13.5%FGD: +11.6% a year, volatility 14.8%IQDF: +10.9% a year, volatility 15.8%EQL: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.5%ROUS: +12.3% a year, volatility 14.4%FDRR: +12.6% a year, volatility 15.0%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%AFLG: +12.3% a year, volatility 15.8%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%DJD: +11.8% a year, volatility 13.3%QDPL: +11.8% a year, volatility 15.0%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTQI: +11.5% a year, volatility 14.8%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DIVO: +11.1% a year, volatility 11.9%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%FTGC: +12.9% a year, volatility 15.6%IDV: +12.8% a year, volatility 15.5%HDEF: +12.8% a year, volatility 14.2%HFXI: +11.4% a year, volatility 15.3%DDWM: +12.3% a year, volatility 13.4%DHS: +12.0% a year, volatility 13.9%RAAX: +11.7% a year, volatility 15.6%DBA: +10.7% a year, volatility 13.8%AUSF: +13.2% a year, volatility 13.6%SCHF: +9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%SPY: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%EMXC: +11.1% a year, volatility 19.5%BBCA: +11.4% a year, volatility 16.7%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SIXA: +12.8% a year, volatility 12.7%VTV: +12.1% a year, volatility 13.7%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%VYM: +11.3% a year, volatility 13.8%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%PFM: +10.4% a year, volatility 13.4%HEFA: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%SCHFSPY (S&P 500)DBEFLVHIAVDVDXJEMXCBBCASIXAVYMMRKPFM
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than SCHF?

Investments that beat SCHF over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat SCHF over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks SCHF's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than SCHF follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than SCHF's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× SCHF's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than SCHF's.

Screen the whole market against SCHF for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with SCHF?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
SCHFSchwab International Equity ETF · this page
+9.5%16.8%0.63−34.9%+155%1.000.03%
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.810.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against SCHF. 4 of 18 passed at least one test.
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.900.35%
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.810.09%
EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.6%15.9%0.88−43.2%+157%0.920.31%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Developed International Equity and International Equity and the categories next to it (Emerging Markets Equity), plus SCHF's specific themes. 14 of 49 passed at least one test.
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.780.40%
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.960.25%
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.930.36%
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.560.48%
EMXCiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Higher return in most periods+11.1%19.5%0.64−42.8%—0.830.25%
BBCAJPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF · International Equity
Higher return in most periods+11.4%16.7%0.73−42.8%—0.880.19%
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 346 of 3,566 passed at least one test.
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.55—
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.35—
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+12.8%12.7%1.01−18.4%—0.850.31%
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.840.03%
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.810.15%
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · US Dividend Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+11.3%13.8%0.85−35.2%+208%0.810.04%
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.24—
PFMInvesco Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend & Income
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.4%13.4%0.81−32.2%+213%0.840.52%
What these numbers mean for SCHF
Annual return
SCHF returned 9.5% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $15,800. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
SCHF's volatility over the past 5 years was 16.8%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SCHF's return lands within 16.8% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
SCHF's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.63, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SCHF earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
SCHF's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 34.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 34.9% fall takes a 53.6% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, SCHF's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.81 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against SCHF instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SCHF holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 76 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than SCHF with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 42 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with SCHFExpense
1
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.8%12.7%1.01−18.4%—0.850.31%
2
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%13.7%0.90−36.8%+235%0.840.03%
3
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.780.40%
4
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.3%13.8%0.85−35.2%+208%0.810.04%
5
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.810.56%
6
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.690.08%
7
DGRWWisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+11.8%14.0%0.87−32.0%+276%0.830.28%
8
RWLInvesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+13.7%14.4%0.97−36.1%+287%0.840.39%
9
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset
Whole market+11.1%10.5%1.05−13.6%—0.790.85%
10
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.680.43%
11
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.820.12%
12
VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+13.2%14.8%0.92−40.0%+176%0.930.07%
13
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%13.6%1.04−37.6%+168%0.790.60%
14
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.850.20%
15
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Popular alternative+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.900.35%
16
EQWLInvesco S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+11.6%15.0%0.81−34.3%+291%0.880.30%
17
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.830.05%
18
RODMHartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF · International
Whole market+10.6%13.5%0.82−36.0%+141%0.950.29%
19
FGDFirst Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund · International
Whole market+11.6%14.8%0.82−44.8%+155%0.880.55%
20
IQDFNorthern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF · International
Whole market+10.9%15.8%0.74−39.8%+141%0.970.49%
21
EQLALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.5%14.5%0.94−34.2%+387%0.860.19%
22
ROUSHartford Multifactor US Equity ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.3%14.4%0.88−35.5%+238%0.850.19%
23
FDRRFidelity Dividend ETF for Rising Rates · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.6%15.0%0.87−36.5%+265%0.830.15%
24
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.950.50%
25
AFLGFirst Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+12.3%15.8%0.82−35.8%—0.820.55%
26
IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%15.6%0.93−37.3%+180%0.870.50%
27
DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.8%13.3%0.91−34.7%+227%0.800.07%
28
QDPLPacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.8%15.0%0.82−22.6%—0.800.60%
29
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Healthcare
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+153%0.660.36%
30
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+11.5%14.8%0.82−19.4%+121%0.700.75%
31
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.6%0.92−40.2%+253%0.850.15%
32
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Equity Income
Whole market+11.1%11.9%0.95−30.0%—0.770.56%
33
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+14.9%14.5%1.04−43.6%+150%0.610.95%
34
FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+12.9%15.6%0.86−35.9%+139%0.160.98%
35
IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Equity
Same or nearby category+12.8%15.5%0.86−42.5%+159%0.870.50%
36
HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International
Whole market+12.8%14.2%0.92−36.4%+134%0.870.09%
37
HFXINYLI FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF · International
Whole market+11.4%15.3%0.79−32.4%+180%0.980.19%
38
DDWMWisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund · International
Whole market+12.3%13.4%0.94−35.0%+149%0.950.40%
39
DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · Dividend & Income
Whole market+12.0%13.9%0.89−37.4%+156%0.690.38%
40
RAAXVanEck Real Assets ETF · Commodities
Whole market+11.7%15.6%0.79−33.9%—0.720.55%
41
DBAInvesco DB Agriculture Fund · Alternatives
Whole market+10.7%13.8%0.81−35.3%+62.2%0.200.90%
42
AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · International
Whole market+13.2%13.6%0.99−44.2%—0.710.27%

SCHF against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against SCHF, compared period by period and year by year.

How do SCHF's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at SCHF, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than SCHF with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

13.0%14.0%15.0%16.0%17.0%18.0%19.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySCHF: 9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: 13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%HEFA: 13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%AVDE: 10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%SCZ: 4.9% a year, volatility 16.8%DFAI: 9.7% a year, volatility 16.0%EFG: 3.5% a year, volatility 18.5%VEA: 9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%VWO: 5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%QEFA: 8.5% a year, volatility 14.8%BBIN: 8.8% a year, volatility 16.7%GSID: 8.5% a year, volatility 16.4%IDEV: 8.7% a year, volatility 16.4%VXUS: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.4%SCHFSPY (S&P 500)EFVHEFAAVDESCZDFAIEFGVEAVWOQEFABBINGSIDIDEVVXUS13.0%14.0%15.0%16.0%17.0%18.0%19.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilitySCHF: 9.5% a year, volatility 16.8%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%EFV: 13.6% a year, volatility 15.9%HEFA: 13.3% a year, volatility 13.8%AVDE: 10.1% a year, volatility 16.4%SCZ: 4.9% a year, volatility 16.8%DFAI: 9.7% a year, volatility 16.0%EFG: 3.5% a year, volatility 18.5%VEA: 9.3% a year, volatility 16.9%VWO: 5.2% a year, volatility 17.5%QEFA: 8.5% a year, volatility 14.8%BBIN: 8.8% a year, volatility 16.7%GSID: 8.5% a year, volatility 16.4%IDEV: 8.7% a year, volatility 16.4%VXUS: 8.3% a year, volatility 16.4%SCHFSPY (S&P 500)EFVHEFAAVDESCZDFAIEFGVEAVWOQEFABBINGSIDVXUS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF+13.6%15.9%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF+13.3%13.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF+10.1%16.4%
DFAI Dimensional - International Core Equity Market ETF+9.7%16.0%
SCHF This pageSchwab International Equity ETF+9.5%16.8%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF+9.3%16.9%
BBIN JPMorgan BetaBuilders International Equity ETF+8.8%16.7%
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF+8.7%16.4%
QEFA State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF+8.5%14.8%
GSID Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF+8.5%16.4%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF+8.3%16.4%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF+5.2%17.5%
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF+4.9%16.8%
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF+3.5%18.5%
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Has SCHF consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares SCHF with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than SCHF helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than SCHF over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF (this page)—−3.8%+0.7%+1.7%+11.7%+17.3%+80.9%+57.7%+155%16.8%0.63−34.9%0.03%$68B—
SPY QualifiedState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−0.6%+3.9%+9.1%+13.5%+15.8%+89.3%+81.7%+321%17.1%0.79−33.7%0.09%$823B67%
EFV QualifiediShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF5/5 short2/3 long−2.7%+1.7%+3.9%+12.8%+21.4%+92.4%+89.0%+157%15.9%0.88−43.2%0.31%$31B74%
HEFA QualifiediShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF4/5 short2/3 long−1.1%+1.8%+5.2%+12.6%+17.8%+75.2%+86.4%+210%13.8%0.97−32.4%0.70%$7.5B86%
DBEF QualifiedXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF4/5 short2/3 long−1.0%+1.5%+5.3%+12.8%+17.7%+74.6%+85.0%+206%13.8%0.96−32.5%0.35%$9.3B86%
AVDE InternationalAvantis International Equity ETF2/5 short2/3 long−2.6%+1.9%+0.9%+10.2%+16.4%+83.7%+61.8%—16.4%0.67−37.0%0.23%$19B83%
QEFA InternationalState Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF3/5 short0/3 long+0.1%+3.4%+3.4%+10.9%+15.2%+67.9%+50.1%+140%14.8%0.63−30.8%0.30%$1.0B81%
SCZ InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF2/5 short0/3 long−2.7%+1.7%+0.2%+8.3%+12.3%+72.8%+27.1%+114%16.8%0.37−41.1%0.40%$13B72%
BBIN InternationalJPMorgan BetaBuilders International Equity ETF2/5 short0/3 long−2.2%+1.3%+1.3%+8.4%+12.9%+71.6%+52.5%—16.7%0.59−33.4%0.07%$6.5B86%
DFAI InternationalDimensional - International Core Equity Market ETF2/5 short0/3 long−1.7%+1.9%+1.7%+10.1%+15.8%+78.5%+59.0%—16.0%0.66−27.4%0.18%$18B87%
DFIC InternationalDimensional - International Core Equity 2 ETF2/5 short0/3 long−1.9%+2.2%+1.5%+10.6%+17.1%+82.4%————−24.4%0.22%$15B83%
GSID InternationalGoldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF2/5 short0/3 long−2.2%+1.3%+1.7%+9.0%+12.8%+71.5%+50.0%—16.4%0.58−29.9%0.25%$971M87%
IDEV InternationaliShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF2/5 short0/3 long−2.0%+1.5%+1.5%+9.2%+13.8%+75.7%+51.5%—16.4%0.59−34.8%0.04%$33B89%
IEFA InternationaliShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF1/5 short0/3 long−2.4%+1.2%+1.3%+8.8%+12.8%+72.4%+49.0%+140%16.6%0.56−34.8%0.07%$190B86%
EFA InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE ETF1/5 short0/3 long−2.3%+1.1%+1.4%+8.6%+12.5%+71.2%+51.0%+139%16.6%0.58−34.2%0.32%$77B86%
EFG InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF1/5 short0/3 long−1.8%+0.4%−1.1%+4.5%+4.1%+51.3%+18.5%+111%18.5%0.28−35.8%0.34%$15B72%
CGIE InternationalCapital Group International Equity ETF1/5 short0/3 long−2.8%+0.9%+1.2%+3.9%+6.7%+55.0%————−13.8%0.54%$2.5B80%
JIRE InternationalJPMorgan International Research Enhanced Equity ETF1/5 short0/3 long−1.8%+0.9%+1.4%+8.2%+12.6%+69.6%————−16.1%0.29%$11B86%
VEA InternationalVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.5%+1.0%+1.4%+11.5%+17.0%+81.0%+55.9%+153%16.9%0.61−35.8%0.03%$314B92%
SPDW InternationalState Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.6%+1.0%+1.9%+11.8%+17.0%+81.6%+54.9%+153%16.8%0.61−35.0%0.03%$41B92%
VXUS InternationalVanguard Total International Stock ETF0/5 short0/3 long−3.9%+1.0%+0.9%+10.2%+14.6%+77.2%+48.6%+140%16.4%0.57−36.0%0.05%$666B90%
VWO InternationalVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF0/5 short0/3 long−4.7%+0.7%−0.8%+6.4%+8.3%+67.2%+29.1%+102%17.5%0.38−36.4%0.06%$165B72%
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How did SCHF do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2010, along with where SCHF ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with SCHF and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: SCHF began trading on November 3, 2009, so the table starts with 2010, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of SCHF; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places SCHF among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of SCHF2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
SCHF This pageSchwab International Equity ETF—+34.6%+3.3%+18.3%−14.8%+11.4%+9.5%+22.2%−14.2%+26.1%+3.0%−2.6%−5.6%+18.9%+18.8%−12.6%+9.3%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 1 of 165 of 1611 of 164 of 158 of 148 of 146 of 126 of 105 of 106 of 95 of 96 of 93 of 75 of 73 of 73 of 64 of 6
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 16+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF6 of 16+42.2%+5.3%+18.9%−5.2%+11.1%−3.0%+15.8%−14.7%+21.2%+5.1%−5.9%−6.8%+21.9%+18.8%−12.4%+4.5%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF8 of 11+23.3%+13.7%+20.3%−4.8%+19.6%+2.1%+24.9%−9.4%+16.7%+6.4%+4.4%—————
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF4 of 6+38.0%+4.9%+17.2%−13.7%+13.6%+8.3%——————————
QEFA State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF4 of 11+29.3%+2.3%+17.4%−14.0%+12.5%+6.8%+21.9%−10.4%+24.0%−0.2%+2.0%—————
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF7 of 16+32.1%+1.5%+13.0%−21.3%+10.1%+11.7%+24.7%−17.6%+32.7%+2.6%+9.1%−6.0%+28.6%+21.3%−15.1%+21.5%
BBIN JPMorgan BetaBuilders International Equity ETF1 of 6+31.9%+3.6%+18.6%−14.3%+11.7%+7.9%——————————
DFAI Dimensional - International Core Equity Market ETF3 of 5+34.1%+4.7%+17.5%−12.9%+13.9%———————————
DFIC Dimensional - International Core Equity 2 ETF2 of 3+37.0%+4.1%+17.3%—————————————
GSID Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF0 of 5+31.8%+3.6%+17.6%−14.8%+10.7%———————————
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF3 of 8+32.6%+4.5%+17.3%−15.0%+13.0%+8.3%+23.2%−14.1%————————
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF7 of 16+20.7%+1.5%+17.5%−23.1%+11.0%+17.8%+27.5%−12.9%+28.8%−3.1%+3.7%−5.9%+21.6%+18.3%−12.9%+13.1%
CGIE Capital Group International Equity ETF0 of 2+28.1%+0.7%——————————————
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF2 of 16+35.2%+3.1%+17.9%−15.3%+11.7%+9.7%+22.6%−14.8%+26.4%+2.6%−0.4%−5.9%+21.8%+18.6%−12.3%+8.4%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF5 of 14+32.3%+5.1%+15.9%−16.1%+9.0%+10.7%+21.7%−14.4%+27.5%+4.8%−4.2%−4.7%+14.6%+18.6%——
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF6 of 16+25.6%+10.6%+9.3%−18.0%+1.3%+15.2%+20.8%−14.8%+31.5%+12.2%−15.8%0.0%−4.9%+19.2%−18.8%+19.5%
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Risk and diversification

How SCHF has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were SCHF's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents SCHF's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2009, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: SCHF began trading on November 3, 2009, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means SCHF fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringSCHF fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Late-2018 sell-off−34.9%−18.8%Jan 2018Mar 20202.2 yearsNov 20208 months
2022 bear market−29.1%−18.3%Sep 2021Sep 202212 monthsFeb 202417 months
2011 euro debt crisis−26.4%−18.6%Apr 2011Oct 20116 monthsApr 201318 months
2015 China and oil sell-off−23.7%−4.9%Jul 2014Feb 201619 monthsMay 201715 months
2010 flash crash−19.3%−13.0%Apr 2010Jun 20102 monthsOct 20104 months

How did SCHF do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far SCHF, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: SCHF began trading on November 3, 2009, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than SCHF.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
SCHF This pageSchwab International Equity ETF—−2.4%−28.4%−33.5%−16.4%−5.8%−20.1%−23.5%−0.5%Not yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF3 of 8−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF2 of 8−3.6%−25.8%−36.3%−15.9%−5.7%−25.0%−23.3%−0.5%−63.9%—
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF4 of 6−4.4%−14.8%−32.1%−15.0%−4.8%−22.2%————
AVDE Avantis International Equity ETF0 of 3−3.0%−28.4%−35.7%———————
QEFA State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF5 of 6−1.9%−27.1%−30.1%−14.1%−5.6%−16.4%————
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF2 of 8−2.9%−33.6%−37.3%−20.5%−6.1%−15.3%−22.3%−2.0%——
BBIN JPMorgan BetaBuilders International Equity ETF1 of 3−2.3%−28.6%−32.1%———————
DFAI Dimensional - International Core Equity Market ETF1 of 2−2.7%−27.1%————————
DFIC Dimensional - International Core Equity 2 ETF0 of 1−2.9%—————————
GSID Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF0 of 2−2.3%−28.9%————————
IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF0 of 5−2.5%−28.4%−33.9%−17.2%−5.5%—————
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF3 of 8−1.3%−34.2%−29.0%−17.1%−5.9%−17.0%−23.7%−0.1%−58.4%—
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF0 of 8−2.5%−28.8%−34.1%−17.1%−5.9%−19.9%−23.1%−0.2%−60.7%—
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF1 of 7−2.5%−28.4%−33.4%−15.1%−6.1%−20.2%−24.2%———
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF4 of 8−2.7%−27.9%−30.6%−11.3%−6.8%−23.8%−27.9%0.0%−67.7%—
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How closely does SCHF move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares SCHF with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than SCHF's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
SCHF This pageSchwab International Equity ETF79%93%0.860.84
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF71%62%1.140.65
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF75%84%0.890.76
QEFA State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF70%82%0.860.71
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF81%96%0.840.86
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF76%91%0.840.82
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF63%75%0.840.69
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF81%107%0.750.91
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF78%104%0.750.87
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What diversifies SCHF?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with SCHF's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing SCHF with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which SCHF lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% SCHF and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022201820152014201180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF (this page)1.00+57.7%0.63−14.8%−14.2%−2.6%−5.6%−12.6%16.0%+10.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.44+126%0.96−0.8%−1.9%−10.7%−2.2%+9.6%14.6%+12.4%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.30+177%0.93+64.4%−18.2%−21.5%−8.7%+2.8%15.2%+13.6%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.38+111%0.89+25.5%−12.6%−25.7%+4.8%+10.2%14.6%+12.4%
DBMF AlternativesiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF-0.29+59.7%0.82+21.6%————12.3%+11.0%
DBA AlternativesInvesco DB Agriculture Fund0.20+66.4%0.81+2.5%−8.7%−17.2%+2.6%−10.7%13.4%+10.9%
USO CommoditiesUnited States Oil Fund, LP-0.10+176%0.73+29.0%−19.6%−46.0%−42.4%−2.3%14.2%+14.3%
FLSP AlternativesFranklin Systematic Style Premia ETF0.03+49.8%0.68+0.5%————12.9%+10.5%
PDBC AlternativesInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF0.08+73.9%0.67+19.3%−12.8%−26.8%——13.5%+11.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2022201820152014201180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF (this page)1.00+57.7%0.63−14.8%−14.2%−2.6%−5.6%−12.6%16.0%+10.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.32+479%1.55+54.1%−24.5%+12.6%+23.0%+8.1%15.3%+16.2%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.28+3,143%1.47+1.3%−16.3%−6.0%+12.9%−24.4%19.6%+28.8%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.42+1,636%1.46+17.0%+0.8%+67.7%−10.4%−17.0%18.4%+24.6%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.17+413%1.44+51.8%−28.4%−4.5%+29.3%+11.8%14.5%+15.7%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.25+690%1.41+86.6%−8.2%+17.4%+0.4%—15.7%+18.3%
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Common questions

What was SCHF's worst drawdown?

SCHF's deepest decline since it began trading in 2009 was 34.9%, from January 2018 to March 2020. It took eight months from the low to climb back to its old high. Because SCHF launched in November 2009, that record does not include the dot-com bust or the 2008 financial crisis.

What were SCHF's best and worst years?

Over 16 full calendar years, SCHF's best year was 2025, when it returned 34.6%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -14.8%.

Is there a better investment than SCHF?

Among SCHF's popular alternatives, DBEF earned more than SCHF with less volatility over the past 5 years: 13.1% a year at 13.8% volatility, against 9.5% a year at 16.8%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, LVHI (international equity) earned more than SCHF with less volatility over the past 5 years: 17.0% a year at 11.1% volatility, against 9.5% a year at 16.8%.

Is SCHF more volatile than the S&P 500?

No. SCHF's volatility over the past 5 years was 16.8%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, SCHF's return lands within 16.8% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is SCHF's Sharpe ratio?

SCHF's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.63, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so SCHF earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is SCHF with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, SCHF's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.81 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against SCHF instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a SCHF holding.

What are the best alternatives to SCHF?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, four outperformed SCHF in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: SPY, EFV and HEFA.

Did SCHF outperform the S&P 500?

SCHF finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of 16 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +34.6%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did SCHF do in stock market crashes?

SCHF fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in four of the eight major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the late-2018 sell-off, when SCHF fell 16.4% and the S&P 500 fell 19.3%.

What diversifies SCHF?

These had a low correlation with SCHF over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, GLD (correlation 0.44), XLE (correlation 0.30) and AMLP (correlation 0.38); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.32), CLS (correlation 0.28) and FIX (correlation 0.42). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

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