A head-to-head comparison of Schwab International Equity ETF and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated August 5, 2026
Best for
SCHFInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
VYMIInvestors who want higher current income (4.83% vs 1.18% for SCHF).
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Schwab is known for offering low-cost, broad-based ETFs that serve both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies. Their 33-fund lineup spans multiple asset classes including bonds, equities, international markets, digital assets, and factor-based strategies, with a notable emphasis on dividend-focused funds like SCHD alongside core index options. The issuer emphasizes accessibility for individual investors through competitive expense ratios and a diverse range of fund families designed to support various investment objectives.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHF.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VYMI.
Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Seeks to track the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, investing at least 80% of net assets in the international high-dividend stocks that make up the target index.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
11/03/2009
02/25/2016
Beta
1.03
0.74
Last dividend
$0.1650
$1.2570
Ex-dividend date
06/24/2026
06/18/2026
Bottom lineChoose SCHF if you want broad equity exposure. Choose VYMI if you want higher current income (4.83% vs 1.18% for SCHF).
Most used
Income calculator
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
SCHF has lagged VYMI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 31.78% total return against 33.83%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VYMI has compounded at 11.09% a year, against 10.40% for SCHF. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Mar 2016” measures every fund from March 2, 2016 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VYMI offers the higher yield at 4.83% vs 1.18% for SCHF. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SCHF is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.06% compared to 0.07%.
They track different benchmarks: SCHF is linked to FTSE Developed ex US Index while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SCHF is the larger fund by assets ($66.0B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose SCHF
Schwab International Equity ETF
Want broad equity exposure.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.06% expense ratio vs 0.07% for VYMI.
Choose VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF
Want higher current income — VYMI yields 4.83% vs 1.18% for SCHF.
Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.7 vs 1.0 for SCHF.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Still deciding? Track SCHF & VYMI for free
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On a $10,000 investment, SCHF would generate roughly $9.83/month, while VYMI would produce $40.25/month, at current distribution rates.
SCHF yield1.18%
VYMI yield4.83%
Monthly diff on $10K$30.42
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHF would cost approximately $60 in fees vs $70 for VYMI (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SCHF ER0.06%
VYMI ER0.07%
Strategy & risk
SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex US Index with an index approach, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Beta is 1.03 for SCHF and 0.74 for VYMI, indicating VYMI is less volatile relative to the market.
SCHF beta1.03
VYMI beta0.74
Fund details
SCHF is managed by Schwab (launched 11/03/2009) with $66.0B in assets. VYMI is managed by Vanguard (launched 02/25/2016) with $21.1B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution yield for SCHF and VYMI?
SCHF currently distributes 1.18% and VYMI 4.83%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is SCHF or VYMI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VYMI currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between SCHF and VYMI?
SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) tracks FTSE Developed ex US Index with an index approach, while VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They are issued by Schwab and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SCHF and VYMI?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, SCHF or VYMI?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYMI charges 0.07%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHF vs VYMI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SCHF would generate roughly $9.83 per month ($118.00 annually). The same in VYMI would produce about $40.25 per month ($483.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SCHF or VYMI?
SCHF has lagged VYMI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 31.78% total return against 33.83%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VYMI has compounded at 11.09% a year, against 10.40% for SCHF. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
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