Dividend comparison
IEFA vs SCHF: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and Schwab International Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IEFA vs SCHF: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHF is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.07% for IEFA. On $10,000 that is $4 a year less in fees.
- Income. IEFA pays more income, yielding 3.40% over the last twelve months versus 3.12% for SCHF. That is about $29 more a year on $10,000. IEFA pays semi-annual, SCHF pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SCHF returned 57.7% versus 43.9% for IEFA, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,769 in SCHF and $14,389 in IEFA.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -30.0% for IEFA and -28.8% for SCHF from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IEFA holds 2,626 positions and SCHF holds 1,440. The ten largest positions make up 12.2% of IEFA and 13.7% of SCHF.
- Overlap. At least 28% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 64 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SCHF grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.7% for IEFA.
- Size. IEFA is the larger fund with $190.1 billion in assets, against $67.5 billion for SCHF.
Bottom line: IEFA fits better if you care most about more income today and broader diversification. SCHF fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.40% | 3.12% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.29 | $0.84 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $1.5781 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.1650 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.7% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $96.71 | $27.06 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.89 | 1.03 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -30.0% | -28.8% |
| Market cap | $190.07B | $67.18B |
| Exchange | CBOE | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $190.09B | $67.45B |
| Number of holdings | 2626 | 1440 |
| Top 10 concentration | 12.2% | 13.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IEFA
$28.34/mo
$340 /yr at 3.40% yield
SCHF
$25.96/mo
$312 /yr at 3.12% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IEFA pays semi-annual; SCHF pays annual.
| Year | IEFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.1771 | $0.8216 |
| 2024 | $2.4401 | $0.6032 |
| 2023 | $2.2518 | $0.5484 |
| 2022 | $1.7762 | $0.4749 |
| 2021 | $2.3656 | $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 $14,389 in IEFA and $15,769 in SCHF.
| Period | IEFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.31% | -2.42% |
| 3 months | 0.48% | 0.74% |
| Year to date | 8.10% | 13.22% |
| 1 year | 8.87% | 17.35% |
| 3 years | 66.45% | 80.88% |
| 5 years | 43.89% | 57.69% |
- IEFA
- 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.
- IEFA
- SCHF
IEFA vs SCHF holdings overlap
At least 28% overlap by weight, with 64 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IEFA weight | SCHF weight |
|---|---|---|
| HSBA.LHSBC HOLDINGS PLC | 1.29% | 1.13% |
| ROP.SWROCHE PS PAR AG | 1.28% | 1.12% |
| SHEL.LSHELL | 1.21% | 1.06% |
| NOVN.SWNOVARTIS AG | 1.10% | 0.98% |
| NESN.SWNESTLE SA | 1.02% | 0.89% |
| AZN.LASTRAZENECA PLC | 1.00% | 0.86% |
| 8306.TMITSUBISHI UFJ FINANCIAL GROUP | 0.93% | 0.83% |
| SIE.DESIEMENS N AG | 0.88% | 0.76% |
| BHP.AXBHP GROUP LTD | 0.84% | 0.73% |
| 7203.TTOYOTA MOTOR | 0.73% | 0.71% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IEFA2626 holdings total
Quick verdict
IEFA fits better if you care most about more income today and broader diversification. SCHF fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IEFA vs SCHF fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IEFA or SCHF better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IEFA currently yields 3.40% 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 IEFA and SCHF?
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an ETF listed on CBOE. 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, IEFA or SCHF?
SCHF has the lower expense ratio. IEFA charges 0.07% a year and SCHF charges 0.03%, a difference of $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IEFA or SCHF?
Over the last 5 years, SCHF has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IEFA returned 43.9% and SCHF returned 57.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IEFA or SCHF?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IEFA has been riskier: IEFA fell as much as 30.0% and SCHF as much as 28.8%. Their betas are 0.89 and 1.03.
How much do IEFA and SCHF overlap?
At least 28% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 64 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are HSBA.L, ROP.SW, SHEL.L. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IEFA and SCHF pay dividends?
IEFA pays semi-annual and SCHF pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in IEFA vs SCHF generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IEFA would generate roughly $28.34 per month ($340 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 IEFA 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 IEFA vs SCHF with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IEFA 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.