At the 24% federal bracket, a $500,000 position in a broad international equity exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering roughly 3% in annual distributions sends about $1,800 a year to the IRS at qualified rates, and closer to $3,600 if any portion is taxed as ordinary income.
Schwab International Equity ETF remains a BUY, offering diversified ex-US exposure with a competitive 0.03% expense ratio and 3.1% dividend yield. SCHF's recent 12-month rally (+40.31%) was driven by valuation rerating, but forward EPS growth expectations (31%) support continued upside. Market-cap weighting and inclusion of South Korea and Canada enhance SCHF's sector balance and performance versus peers like IEFA.
The Schwab International Equity ETF has outperformed US markets over the past year, driven by valuation rerating and sector/style rotation. I see limited structural or currency tailwinds for SCHF going forward, with valuation gaps narrowing and earnings growth expectations lagging the US. Japan's strong performance and sector allocation contributed to 2025 gains, but further upside appears incremental as much of the rerating is priced in.
International stocks are trading for significantly cheaper valuations than U.S. companies. The Schwab International Equity ETF can be a great way to get international exposure.
SCHF: Weaker US Dollar And Cheaper Non-US Valuations Continue To Support Bull Call
I see Schwab International Equity ETF as a superior buy over iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF due to its inclusion of Canada and South Korea. SCHF offers lower costs (0.03% expense ratio), better sectoral diversification, and lower volatility, supporting stronger risk-adjusted returns across all time frames. IEFA stands out for its superior liquidity, making it more suitable for frequent traders despite its higher expense ratio and exclusion of key markets.
I continue to search for ways to diversify outside the US, and this fund offers broad exposure to the developed world. SCHF holds a lot of Japanese and UK shares, and they are attractively priced compared to the rest of the market. This ETF has strong momentum behind it, and I see more gains ahead in the short term.
SCHF has a buy rating due to its modest valuation, strong relative strength, and impressive performance in developed international markets, including Europe. The ETF offers low-cost, tax-efficient exposure to large- and mid-cap equities outside the U.S., with a high dividend yield of 3.0%. SCHF's technical indicators suggest a potential breakout, with key resistance at $20-$21 and a bullish cup and handle pattern targeting $28.
Schwab International Equity Fund appears to be a great option for conservative investors who want to own large cap stocks in developed markets outside the US. Stocks in the US have never been so expensive when compared to their foreign counterparts, and conditions in overseas markets may be ripe for a turnaround. I feel that the upside potential in SCHF outweighs the downside risk, and I consider Schwab International Equity ETF to be a buy heading into the new year.
For those considering an international tilt due to the S&P 500's mega-cap overweight, despite ex-US stocks' past underperformance, we suggest two different ETFs. All available Ex-US ETFs suffer from one or more of several issues we discuss at length. Those issues include over-diversification, concentration in all caps or small caps, small AUM, investment in companies from countries with alien values, and nonqualified, foreign-taxed dividends.
SCHF is expected to see earnings growth accelerating in 2025. The fund's exposure to U.K. and Japan is favorable. Its valuation is also not expensive.
Schwab International Equity ETF is a buy due to its attractive valuation and potential for strong returns in international equities. SCHF offers broad diversification at a low cost and has a dividend yield that surpasses U.S. S&P 500 and total market funds. Despite lagging U.S. funds over the past decade, SCHF has outperformed its peers and has the potential for a reversal in performance.