Dividend comparison
EFA vs SCHF: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and Schwab International Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
EFA vs SCHF: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHF is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.32% for EFA. On $10,000 that is $29 a year less in fees.
- Income. EFA pays more income, yielding 3.24% over the last twelve months versus 3.12% for SCHF. That is about $13 more a year on $10,000. EFA pays quarterly, SCHF pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHF returned 57.7% versus 51.0% for EFA, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,769 in SCHF and $15,095 in EFA.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.3% for EFA and -28.8% for SCHF from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SCHF holds 1,440 positions and EFA holds 656.
- Dividend growth. SCHF grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.3% for EFA.
Bottom line: SCHF has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. EFA does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.24% | 3.12% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.36 | $0.84 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $1.6364 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.1650 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.3% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $103.69 | $27.06 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.78 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.3% | -28.8% |
| Market cap | $76.86B | $67.18B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.32% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $76.89B | $67.45B |
| Number of holdings | 656 | 1440 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 13.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
EFA
$27.04/mo
$324 /yr at 3.24% yield
SCHF
$25.96/mo
$312 /yr at 3.12% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. EFA pays quarterly; SCHF pays annual.
| Year | EFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.2473 | $0.8216 |
| 2024 | $2.4500 | $0.6032 |
| 2023 | $2.2421 | $0.5484 |
| 2022 | $1.9291 | $0.4749 |
| 2021 | $2.4540 | $0.5970 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $15,095 in EFA and $15,769 in SCHF.
| Period | EFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.22% | -2.42% |
| 3 months | 1.09% | 0.74% |
| Year to date | 9.69% | 13.22% |
| 1 year | 12.55% | 17.35% |
| 3 years | 71.16% | 80.88% |
| 5 years | 50.95% | 57.69% |
- EFA
- SCHF
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- EFA
- SCHF
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
SCHF has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. EFA does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how EFA vs SCHF fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is EFA or SCHF better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. EFA currently yields 3.24% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHF yields 3.12%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between EFA and SCHF?
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, EFA or SCHF?
SCHF has the lower expense ratio. EFA charges 0.32% a year and SCHF charges 0.03%, a difference of $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, EFA or SCHF?
Over the last 5 years, SCHF has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: EFA returned 51.0% and SCHF returned 57.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, EFA or SCHF?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, EFA has been riskier: EFA fell as much as 29.3% and SCHF as much as 28.8%. Their betas are 0.78 and 1.03.
How often do EFA and SCHF pay dividends?
EFA pays quarterly and SCHF pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in EFA vs SCHF generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in EFA would generate roughly $27.04 per month ($324 annually). The same amount in SCHF would produce about $25.96 per month ($312 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both EFA and SCHF?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare EFA vs SCHF with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how EFA and SCHF fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.