SCHC vs VXUS
Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SCHC or VXUS?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | SCHC | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $5.8B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.48% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 2,271 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.69% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.24% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.25% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.45% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,669 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2010 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
SCHC vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
SCHC vs VXUS Performance
Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHC returned +21.24% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SCHC is up 12.69% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SCHC compounded at +19.25% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.45% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +4.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -47.1% for SCHC and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHC charges 0.06% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHC currently yields 3.48% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,528 holdings in SCHC and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 84.3% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1,321 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, SCHC as of Mar 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1,321 positions in common, counted across the 1,528 positions we hold weights for in SCHC and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 2,271 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHC | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.03% | 2.27% | 2.24% |
| GTT:PAGaztransport Et Technigaz Sa | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.33% |
| NDA:BEAurubis Ag | 0.23% | 0.14% | 0.09% |
| ACLN:SMAccelleron Industries Ag | 0.34% | 0.02% | 0.32% |
| HBM:CAHudbay Minerals Inc | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
| FTT:CAFinning International Inc | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
| GAW:LNGames Workshop Group Plc | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
| ATZ:CAAritzia Subordinate Voting Inc | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
| DPM:CADpm Metals Inc | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| CPX:CACapital Power Corp. | 0.30% | 0.02% | 0.28% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHC and VXUS 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, SCHC or VXUS?
SCHC has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHC or VXUS?
Over the past year SCHC returned +21.24% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SCHC annualized +4.78% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHC or VXUS?
SCHC has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SCHC -47.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SCHC and VXUS?
SCHC and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHC or VXUS?
SCHC yields 3.48% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so SCHC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SCHC?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.