ISCF vs SCHD
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, ISCF or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. ISCF led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ISCF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $684M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.62% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 1,188 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.50% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.65% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.35%Best | +16.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.72% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,504 | $16,274Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.3 years).
ISCF vs SCHD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11.3 years both funds cover.
ISCF vs SCHD Performance
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year ISCF returned +19.65% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, ISCF is up 12.50% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, ISCF compounded at +19.35% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +7.72% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.67% annualized vs +7.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 14.9% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.6% for ISCF and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCF charges 0.24% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $6 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCF currently yields 3.62% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings ISCF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCF, our book for it covers 93.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,011 positions we hold weights for in ISCF and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 1,188 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCF | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFEurazeo | 0.08% | 0.67% | 0.59% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCF and SCHD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ISCF or SCHD?
ISCF has an expense ratio of 0.24% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCF or SCHD?
Over the past year ISCF returned +19.65% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), ISCF annualized +7.50% vs +10.67% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCF or SCHD?
ISCF has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 14.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: ISCF -43.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both ISCF and SCHD?
ISCF and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCF or SCHD?
ISCF yields 3.62% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so ISCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than ISCF?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. ISCF led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.