Average Daily Volume
11.44M
Fund Overview
The Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is designed to provide investors with exposure to large- and mid-cap stocks in developed markets outside the United States. The fund tracks the FTSE Developed ex-US Index, which includes companies from countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada. SCHF offers a low-cost, diversified way to invest in international equities, making it a popular choice for investors seeking global diversification. With over $30 billion in assets under management, SCHF is one of the largest and most liquid international equity ETFs available. The fund is known for its broad market coverage, low expense ratio, and strong performance relative to its peers.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- 2.56 %
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
4 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the SCHF ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Provides diversified exposure to large- and mid-cap stocks in developed international markets.
- Low expense ratio (0.06%) makes it a cost-effective option for long-term investors.
- Tracks a well-established index (FTSE Developed ex-US Index) with broad market coverage.
- Highly liquid with significant assets under management, ensuring tight bid-ask spreads.
- Offers a tax-efficient way to invest in international equities compared to actively managed funds.
Potential Risks
- Exposure to currency fluctuations, as the fund holds non-U.S. denominated assets.
- Concentration risk in certain regions, such as Japan and Europe, which dominate the index.
- Market volatility in international equities can be higher than in U.S. markets.
- Dividend withholding taxes in foreign countries may reduce overall returns.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+5.8%
|
+6.3%
|
-8.4%
|
+7.3%
|
+4.6%
|
+0.4%
|
-1.0%
|
+2.9%
|
-2.7%
|
+0.4%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+4.4%
|
+2.4%
|
-0.1%
|
+3.9%
|
+5.0%
|
+3.1%
|
-1.4%
|
+4.2%
|
+2.5%
|
+2.1%
|
+1.0%
|
+3.0%
|
| 2024 |
-0.9%
|
+3.0%
|
+3.5%
|
-3.5%
|
+4.6%
|
-1.6%
|
+2.9%
|
+3.2%
|
+0.9%
|
-5.0%
|
+0.4%
|
-3.6%
|
| 2023 |
+9.0%
|
-3.4%
|
+2.6%
|
+2.8%
|
-3.6%
|
+4.5%
|
+3.0%
|
-3.9%
|
-3.7%
|
-3.2%
|
+8.6%
|
+5.6%
|
| 2022 |
-3.4%
|
-2.8%
|
+0.6%
|
-6.8%
|
+1.9%
|
-9.0%
|
+5.1%
|
-5.8%
|
-9.6%
|
+5.9%
|
+12.7%
|
-2.2%
|
| 2021 |
-0.7%
|
+2.5%
|
+2.7%
|
+3.0%
|
+3.6%
|
-0.8%
|
+0.3%
|
+1.2%
|
-3.4%
|
+3.3%
|
-4.5%
|
+4.1%
|
| 2020 |
-2.9%
|
-7.4%
|
-14.6%
|
+6.2%
|
+5.4%
|
+3.7%
|
+2.4%
|
+4.9%
|
-1.8%
|
-3.4%
|
+14.2%
|
+5.5%
|
| 2019 |
+7.2%
|
+2.4%
|
+0.6%
|
+2.9%
|
-5.2%
|
+6.0%
|
-2.0%
|
-1.9%
|
+3.2%
|
+3.1%
|
+1.2%
|
+3.3%
|
| 2018 |
+4.8%
|
-5.3%
|
-0.3%
|
+1.4%
|
-1.7%
|
-1.7%
|
+2.5%
|
-1.9%
|
+0.9%
|
-8.4%
|
+0.5%
|
-5.4%
|
| 2017 |
+3.6%
|
+1.0%
|
+3.1%
|
+2.1%
|
+3.5%
|
+0.7%
|
+2.9%
|
-0.1%
|
+2.5%
|
+1.8%
|
+0.8%
|
+1.6%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
RY
|
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA |
0.8 % |
|
BMO
|
BANK OF MONTREAL |
0.3 % |
|
CP
|
CANADIAN PACIFIC KANSAS CITY LTD |
0.3 % |
|
BNS
|
BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA |
0.3 % |
|
CNQ
|
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LTD |
0.3 % |
|
RACE
|
FERRARI NV |
0.3 % |
|
CM
|
CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE |
0.3 % |
|
AEM
|
AGNICO EAGLE MINES LTD |
0.3 % |
|
MFC
|
MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP |
0.2 % |
|
WCN
|
WASTE CONNECTIONS INC |
0.2 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 1 total holdings.
Related ETFs: SCHF vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex-US Index, a market-cap-weighted index that includes large- and mid-cap stocks from developed markets outside the United States. The index excludes emerging markets and focuses on countries with stable economies and regulatory environments. The fund primarily holds common stocks and aims to replicate the index's performance through full physical replication. SCHF is rebalanced quarterly to align with the index's composition, ensuring consistent exposure to its target markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SCHF include exposure to emerging markets?
No, SCHF focuses exclusively on developed markets outside the U.S. and does not include emerging markets.
How often does SCHF rebalance its holdings?
SCHF rebalances quarterly to align with the FTSE Developed ex-US Index's composition.
What is the expense ratio of SCHF?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.06%, making it one of the lowest-cost international equity ETFs available.
Does SCHF hedge against currency risk?
No, SCHF does not hedge currency risk, so returns are affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Industry Overview
The Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) provides exposure to developed international markets, which are a key component of a globally diversified portfolio. Investing in international equities can help reduce portfolio risk by spreading exposure across different economic cycles and geopolitical environments. Developed markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, often offer stable regulatory frameworks and mature economies, though they may grow at slower rates than emerging markets. SCHF is an attractive option for investors looking to balance their U.S. equity holdings with international diversification while keeping costs low.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to its peers, SCHF stands out for its low expense ratio (0.06%), which is competitive with other broad international equity ETFs like VEA (0.05%) and IEFA (0.07%). Unlike some competitors that may use sampling techniques or derivatives, SCHF employs full physical replication, providing more precise tracking of its underlying index. While EFA and IEFA also track developed international markets, SCHF's lower cost and broad diversification make it a compelling choice for cost-conscious investors.
Issuer Overview
Schwab Asset Management, a subsidiary of Charles Schwab Corporation, is a leading provider of low-cost ETFs and mutual funds. Known for its investor-friendly approach, Schwab offers a range of index-based investment products with competitive expense ratios. The firm emphasizes transparency, liquidity, and accessibility, making its ETFs popular among both retail and institutional investors.
Conclusion
SCHF is a well-established, low-cost ETF that offers diversified exposure to developed international markets. Its broad index coverage, competitive expense ratio, and strong liquidity make it a solid choice for investors seeking international equity exposure. While currency and regional concentration risks exist, SCHF remains a core holding for those building a globally diversified portfolio.
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