SCHF vs SPY
Schwab International Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SCHF or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | SCHF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $69.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1,493 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +14.52%Best | +12.09% |
| 1Y Return | +23.21%Best | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.03% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.57% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,527 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.8%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.9 years).
SCHF vs SPY 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 16.9 years both funds cover.
SCHF vs SPY Performance
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SCHF returned +23.21% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, SCHF is up 14.52% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, SCHF compounded at +20.03% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +10.57% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.98% annualized vs +5.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.4% for SPY. 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 -38.6% for SCHF and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHF charges 0.03% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHF currently yields 2.98% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of SCHF's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.1% of SPY's money is in holdings SCHF also owns.
SCHF and SPY share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 504 in SPY, against full books of 1,493 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 495 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for SCHF (99.2% of the fund), and 19 for SCHF that do not appear in SPY (2.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHF and SPY 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, SCHF or SPY?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SPY charges 0.09%. SCHF is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHF or SPY?
Over the past year SCHF returned +23.21% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHF annualized +5.94% vs +12.98% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHF or SPY?
SCHF has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SCHF -38.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both SCHF and SPY?
SCHF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SCHF and SPY?
1.1% of SCHF's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.1% of SPY's is in holdings SCHF also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHF or SPY?
SCHF yields 2.98% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SCHF?
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.