Which International ETF Is the Better Buy: Schwab’s Developed Markets SCHF or iShares’ Emerging Markets IEMG?
Choosing between the Schwab International Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHF) and the iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEMKT:IEMG) often comes down to an investor’s preference for established markets versus growth-oriented developing nations
While both provide exposure to companies outside the United States, they diverge significantly in their sector concentrations, fee structures, and historical volatility profiles. Developed economies often provide established corporate governance and stability, whereas emerging markets may offer higher growth potential alongside increased volatility. This comparison looks at the data to see how these two international funds differ.
Snapshot (cost & size) Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.