IEFA vs SCHF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields more: 3.39% (dividend yield) against 3.13% for SCHF. SCHF is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.07%. Over the same 14 years (Oct 2012 to Oct 2026), SCHF returned 8.3% a year with distributions reinvested, and IEFA 8.2%.
| Compared | IEFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.39% | 3.13% |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +13.3% | +17.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +19.5% | +21.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +8.2% | +9.5% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.2% | +9.9% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2012 | -28.6% | -27.4% |
| Share price since Oct 2012 | +102% | +106% |
| Pays | Semiannual | Semiannual |
| Issuer | iShares | Schwab |
| Assets | $189.3B | $67.7B |
| Started | 2012 | 2009 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
IEFA
3.39%
Lower cost
SCHF
0.03%
Better total return
SCHF
8.3%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHF
-27.4%
Key facts: IEFA vs SCHF
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields 3.39% (dividend yield) and SCHF yields 3.13% (dividend yield).
- IEFA's expense ratio is 0.07% and SCHF's is 0.03%: $7 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IEFA grew to $30,097 (8.2% a year) and $10,000 in SCHF to $30,555 (8.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.6% for IEFA and -27.4% for SCHF.
- 6 of IEFA's top ten holdings are also in SCHF's top ten, an overlap of at least 7% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IEFA vs SCHF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/iefa-vs-schf
$10,000 in each, Oct 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IEFA became
$30,097
8.2% a year
SCHF became
$30,555
8.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | IEFA | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.1% | +34.6% |
| 2024 | +3.3% | +3.3% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +18.3% |
| 2022 | −15.3% | −14.8% |
| 2021 | +11.6% | +11.4% |
| 2020 | +8.2% | +9.5% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +22.2% |
| 2018 | −14.1% | −14.2% |
| 2017 | +26.6% | +26.1% |
| 2016 | +1.6% | +3.0% |
| 2015 | +0.7% | −2.6% |
| 2014 | −6.3% | −5.6% |
| 2013 | +22.5% | +18.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
6 of the top ten overlap, at least 7% of each fund.
IEFA
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.5%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new1.4%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC1.3%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares1.2%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.2%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC1.1%
- NESN.SW Nestle SA1.1%
- SAP.DE SAP SE1.0%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.9%
- SIE.DE Siemens AG0.9%
SCHF
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.7%
- SK hynix Inc2.1%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.1%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC1.1%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares1.0%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.0%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada1.0%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC1.0%
- NESN.SW Nestle SA0.9%
IEFA vs SCHF: questions
Is IEFA or SCHF better?
It depends on the job. IEFA pays more today (3.39% vs 3.13%), SCHF costs less, and SCHF has the better total return over Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, with SCHF holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEFA or SCHF?
IEFA, at 3.39% against 3.13% for SCHF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $339 vs $313 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SCHF. From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 8.3% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.2% for IEFA. $10,000 became $30,555 vs $30,097.
Which is cheaper, IEFA or SCHF?
SCHF, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.07%.
Do IEFA and SCHF hold the same things?
Partly. 6 of their top ten holdings match (ASML.AS, SHEL.L, NOVN.SW, HSBA.L), at least 7% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHF leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.