SCHF vs VOO
Schwab International Equity ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SCHF or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHF led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $69.4B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 1,493 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +14.52%Best | +12.37% |
| 1Y Return | +23.21%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.03% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.57% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,527 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.8%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
SCHF vs VOO 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 years both funds cover.
SCHF vs VOO Performance
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHF returned +23.21% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, SCHF is up 14.52% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, SCHF compounded at +20.03% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +10.57% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +6.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHF charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SCHF currently yields 2.98% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of SCHF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.1% of VOO's money is in holdings SCHF also owns.
SCHF and VOO share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 494 in VOO, against full books of 1,493 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 485 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for SCHF (99.0% of the fund), and 19 for SCHF that do not appear in VOO (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 VOO 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 VOO?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SCHF or VOO?
Over the past year SCHF returned +23.21% vs +16.61% for VOO, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SCHF annualized +6.15% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHF or VOO?
SCHF has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SCHF -38.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SCHF and VOO?
SCHF and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 VOO?
1.1% of SCHF's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.1% of VOO'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 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHF or VOO?
SCHF yields 2.98% while VOO yields 1.04%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SCHF?
SCHF led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.