The Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an exchange-traded fund designed to track the performance of large- and mid-cap companies from developed markets outside the United States. The ETF is managed by Schwab Strategic Trust and trades under the ticker SCHF on NYSE Arca.
Classified as an equity ETF providing exposure to developed markets outside the United States, SCHF seeks to reflect, before fees and expenses, the aggregated performance of the companies included in the FTSE Developed ex US Index.
The fund follows a passive management strategy, maintaining a portfolio structured to replicate the composition and weighting of its benchmark index.
The benchmark includes large- and mid-cap companies from developed international markets while fully excluding U.S. companies. Constituents are weighted by free-float-adjusted market capitalization, giving relatively greater weight to larger corporations.
Diversification and sector exposure
SCHF provides diversified international exposure across multiple economic sectors, including:
Information technology.
Financials.
Industrials.
Health care.
Consumer discretionary and consumer staples.
Communication services.
The portfolio also maintains meaningful geographic exposure to regions such as:
Western Europe.
Japan.
Australia.
Canada.
Hong Kong and other developed Asian markets.
This composition reflects multiple segments of developed economies outside the United States.
Structure and costs
SCHF shares trade on the secondary market on NYSE Arca during regular trading hours. Creation and redemption occur through authorized participants, helping maintain alignment between market price and net asset value.
The fund charges a management fee as outlined in its prospectus and does not apply a performance fee. SCHF may distribute income derived from dividends paid by companies held in the portfolio.
History and evolution of the ETF
The Schwab International Equity ETF was launched in 2009, during a period of expansion in international ETFs and rising demand for geographic diversification outside the U.S. market.
Since inception, the fund has been used by investors seeking broad exposure to developed international markets excluding the United States.
In recent years, SCHF has reflected global monetary policy cycles, decisions by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan, currency fluctuations, and movements across developed international equity markets.
Additional Information
Schwab International Equity ETF (United States) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF), with assets under management totaling $66.27 Billions.
Over the past 12 months, Schwab International Equity ETF recorded a return of 27.08%, with its price trading between $21.49 and $27.90 during the same period.
The ETF is traded under the ticker SCHF.