SCHF vs VEA
Schwab International Equity ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Which is better, SCHF or VEA?
SCHF has been ahead.
SCHF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $69.4B | $230.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 2.49% |
| Holdings | 1,493 | 3,886 |
| YTD Return | +14.90%Best | +14.27% |
| 1Y Return | +23.35%Best | +22.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.02%Best | +19.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.96%Best | +9.64% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,076Best | $15,843 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | Jul 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Sep 14, 2026 (16.9 years).
SCHF vs VEA 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 VEA Performance
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHF returned +23.35% while VEA returned +22.38%. Year to date, SCHF is up 14.90% versus a gain of 14.27% for VEA.
Over three years, SCHF compounded at +20.02% per year against +19.89% for VEA; over five years the annualized figures are +9.96% and +9.64% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SCHF has the edge at +5.97% annualized vs +5.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.7% for SCHF. 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 -39.9% for VEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHF charges 0.03% per year while VEA charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SCHF currently yields 2.98% against 2.49% for VEA.
Holdings Overlap
At least 69.3% of SCHF's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
1,128 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 3,754 in VEA, against full books of 1,493 and 3,886.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHF | Weight in VEA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 2.24% | 1.94% | 0.30% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.17% | 1.13% | 0.04% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.94% | 0.90% | 0.04% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.84% | 0.79% | 0.05% |
| NESN:SMDeveloped Markets Nestle Sa (reg. S) | 0.83% | 0.79% | 0.04% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.80% | 0.79% | 0.01% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.80% | 0.74% | 0.06% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.79% | 0.66% | 0.13% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.75% | 0.58% | 0.17% |
| 7203:TKToyota Motor Corp | 0.69% | 0.62% | 0.07% |
69.3% of SCHF is already inside VEA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SCHF or VEA?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VEA charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SCHF or VEA?
Over the past year SCHF returned +23.35% vs +22.38% for VEA, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHF annualized +5.97% vs +5.65% for VEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHF or VEA?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.7% for SCHF. Worst drawdown: SCHF -38.6% vs VEA -39.9%.
Should I hold both SCHF and VEA?
SCHF and VEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between SCHF and VEA?
At least 69.3% of SCHF's money is in holdings VEA also owns. Our book for VEA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,128 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 3,754 in VEA.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHF or VEA?
SCHF yields 2.98% while VEA yields 2.49%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEA better than SCHF?
SCHF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.