SCHZ vs VXUS
Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SCHZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been ahead.
SCHZ has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SCHZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $10.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.19% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 12,372 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.96% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.40% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.98% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.54% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,733 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 14, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.2 years).
SCHZ 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 15.2 years both funds cover.
SCHZ vs VXUS Performance
Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ) 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 SCHZ returned -0.40% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, SCHZ is down 0.96% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, SCHZ compounded at +3.98% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -0.54% and +9.14% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.83% annualized vs +0.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 4.5% for SCHZ. 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 -19.7% for SCHZ 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHZ 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, SCHZ currently yields 4.19% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 10,446 holdings in SCHZ and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 63.5% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 10,446 positions we hold weights for in SCHZ and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 12,372 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHZ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOGG3:BVLog Commercial Properties E Participacoes Sa | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHZ 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, SCHZ or VXUS?
SCHZ has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXUS charges 0.05%. SCHZ is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHZ or VXUS?
Over the past year SCHZ returned -0.40% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHZ annualized +0.51% vs +4.83% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 4.5% for SCHZ. Worst drawdown: SCHZ -19.7% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SCHZ and VXUS?
SCHZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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, SCHZ or VXUS?
SCHZ yields 4.19% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so SCHZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SCHZ?
SCHZ has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.