SCHX vs VXUS
Schwab US Large-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SCHX or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | SCHX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $73.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 752 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.26% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.80% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.13%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.33%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,885Best | $15,323 |
| 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 11, 2026 (15.6 years).
SCHX 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.
SCHX vs VXUS Performance
Schwab US Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) 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 SCHX returned +16.80% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, SCHX is up 12.26% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, SCHX compounded at +21.13% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.33% and +8.91% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SCHX has the edge at +12.62% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 14.3% for SCHX. 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 -34.3% for SCHX 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHX 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, SCHX currently yields 1.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of SCHX's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
10 positions in common, counted across the 750 positions we hold weights for in SCHX and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 752 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.35% | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| AMRZ:SMAmrize Ag | 0.04% | 0.06% | 0.02% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| RBA:CARb Global Inc | 0.02% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| CNHCnh Industrial N.V. Nv | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHX 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, SCHX or VXUS?
SCHX has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. SCHX is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHX or VXUS?
Over the past year SCHX returned +16.80% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SCHX annualized +12.62% vs +4.82% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHX or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 14.3% for SCHX. Worst drawdown: SCHX -34.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SCHX and VXUS?
SCHX and VXUS 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHX or VXUS?
SCHX yields 1.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SCHX?
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.