SCHF vs VXUS
Schwab International Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SCHF or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. SCHF costs less.
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $69.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,493 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.52%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +23.21%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.03%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.57%Best | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,527Best | $15,714 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | 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 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
SCHF 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.
SCHF vs VXUS Performance
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) 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 SCHF returned +23.21% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, SCHF is up 14.52% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, SCHF compounded at +20.03% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.57% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SCHF has the edge at +5.55% annualized vs +4.72%.
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 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 -38.6% for SCHF 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 0.98. 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 VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHF currently yields 2.98% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 64.6% of SCHF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
1,036 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,493 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 2.24% | 1.41% | 0.83% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.17% | 0.82% | 0.35% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.94% | 0.66% | 0.28% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.84% | 0.57% | 0.27% |
| NESN:SMDeveloped Markets Nestle Sa (reg. S) | 0.83% | 0.58% | 0.25% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.80% | 0.57% | 0.23% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.80% | 0.54% | 0.26% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.75% | 0.42% | 0.33% |
| RD:CAThe Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.67% | 0.45% | 0.22% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.79% | 0.31% | 0.48% |
64.6% of SCHF is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SCHF or VXUS?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. SCHF is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHF or VXUS?
Over the past year SCHF returned +23.21% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SCHF annualized +5.55% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHF or VXUS?
SCHF has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SCHF -38.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SCHF and VXUS?
SCHF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 VXUS?
At least 64.6% of SCHF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,036 positions in common, counted across the 1,447 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHF or VXUS?
SCHF yields 2.98% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SCHF?
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.