International ETFs: SPDW and SCHF Both Offer Low Cost International Exposure

3 hours ago 2

Jake Lerch, The Motley Fool

Sat, January 24, 2026 astatine 5:37 PM CST 5 min read

Both SCHF and SPDW connection ultra-low 0.03% disbursal ratios and akin assemblage allocations
SCHF has a little beta than SPDW (0.86 vs 0.88), and beats SPDW successful five-year growth, with $1,593 vs $1,567 from a $1,000 investment.
SCHF holds much assets and features a marginally higher dividend yield
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Schwab International Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHF) and SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) some support costs highly debased and supply wide developed-market exposure, but disagree connected money size, yield, and risk-adjusted performance.

Both the Schwab International Equity ETF and the SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF are designed arsenic halfway planetary equity gathering blocks, tracking wide developed markets extracurricular the United States. This examination explores their similarities and differences crossed cost, caller returns, portfolio construction, risk, and trading characteristics to assistance investors determine which whitethorn acceptable their needs.

Metric

SCHF

SPDW

Issuer	Schwab	SPDR
Expense ratio	0.03%	0.03%
1-yr instrumentality (as of 2026-01-09)	35.1%	35.3%
Dividend yield	3.3%	3.2%
Beta	0.86	0.88
AUM	$57.7 billion	$35.1 billion

Beta measures terms volatility comparative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year play returns. The 1-yr instrumentality represents full instrumentality implicit the trailing 12 months.

Both funds are among the astir affordable successful the category, each charging conscionable 0.03% successful yearly expenses. SCHF edges retired SPDW with a somewhat higher dividend yield, offering a marginally greater payout for income-focused investors.

Metric

SCHF

SPDW

Max drawdown (5 y)	-29.15%	-30.20%
Growth of $1,000 implicit 5 years	$1,593	$1,567

SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF offers diversified vulnerability to developed-market equities extracurricular the United States, holding 2,390 stocks and tilting toward fiscal services (23%), industrials (19%), and exertion (11%). Its apical holdings see Roche Holding Ag, Novartis Ag, and Toyota Motor Corp. With an 18.7-year history, SPDW aims to mitigate country-specific hazard and service arsenic a halfway holding for planetary diversification.

Schwab International Equity ETF takes a precise akin approach, focusing connected developed markets and holding 1,499 stocks with a comparable assemblage mix: fiscal services (25%), industrials (18%), and exertion (12%). The largest positions are Asml Holding Nv (NASDAQ:ASML), Samsung Electronics Ltd, and Roche. Neither money incorporates quirks specified arsenic leverage, currency hedging, oregon ESG overlays, truthful some support plain-vanilla planetary exposure.