Schwab Asset Management Reduces Fees on 10 Funds

Rhea-AI Summary

Schwab Asset Management announced a reduction in operating expense ratios for 10 of its ETFs and mutual funds, enhancing investor cost-effectiveness. This follows a previous fee reduction in December 2021 for five fixed income ETFs. Notable changes include a decrease in the Schwab International Opportunities Fund's net operating expense ratio from 1.25% to 0.83%. Schwab emphasizes its commitment to affordable, accessible investment products, managing approximately $623.1 billion in discretionary assets as of March 31, 2022.

Positive

• Reduction in operating expense ratios for 10 ETFs and mutual funds, enhancing investor cost-effectiveness.
• Previous fee reductions in December 2021 indicate a continued strategy to lower investor expenses.
• Schwab International Opportunities Fund's operating expense ratio reduced from 1.25% to 0.83%.

Negative

• None.

WESTLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schwab Asset Management, the asset management arm of The Charles Schwab Corporation, announced today the reduction of the operating expense ratios of 10 passively managed ETFs and actively managed mutual funds. These changes are in addition to the fee reductions that took place in December 2021 for five of the seven fixed income ETFs listed below. Additionally, in February of this year the net operating expense ratio of the Schwab International Opportunities Fund (SWMIX), an actively managed mutual fund, was reduced to 0.83% from 1.25%.*

“We continually review our cost-effective product suite to find new opportunities to lower expenses for investors,” said David Botset, Managing Director, Head of Equity Product Management and Innovation at Schwab Asset Management. “We’re committed to delivering products that are affordable, accessible and scalable, and very pleased to be able to continue to make our clients the beneficiaries of our strategic focus.”

Schwab Passively Managed Funds and Expense Ratio Changes

Name of Fund (Ticker)	AUM ($millions) as of 6/16/2022	Current Operating Expense Ratio	New Operating Expense Ratio	Effective Date
Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO)	$8,734	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR)	$6,982	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ)	$90	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHJ)	$362	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI)	$387	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ)	$7,480	0.04%	0.03%	7/1/2022
Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP)	$15,588	0.05%	0.04%	7/1/2022

Schwab Actively Managed Funds and Expense Ratio Changes

Name of Fund (Ticker)	AUM ($millions) as of 6/16/2022	Current Net Operating Expense Ratio*	New Net Operating Expense Ratio*	Effective Date
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund (SWASX)	$290	1.05%	0.75%	6/27/2022
Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund (SWNTX)	$605	0.49%	0.38%	7/1/2022
Schwab California Tax-Free Bond Fund (SWCAX)	$391	0.49%	0.38%	7/1/2022

*As stated in the prospectus, the investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund’s Board of Trustees.

About Schwab Asset Management

One of the industry’s largest and most experienced asset managers, Schwab Asset Management offers a focused lineup of competitively priced ETFs, mutual funds and separately managed account strategies designed to serve the central needs of most investors. By operating through clients’ eyes, and putting them at the center of our decisions, we aim to deliver exceptional experiences to investors and the financial professionals who serve them. As of March 31, 2022, Schwab Asset Management managed approximately $623.1 billion on a discretionary basis and $35.5 billion on a non-discretionary basis. More information is available at www.schwabassetmanagement.com.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.

More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Disclosures:

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. You can obtain a prospectus, or if available, a summary prospectus by visiting schwabassetmanagement.com/prospectus. Please read it carefully before investing.

Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable directly with the ETF. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than the net asset value (NAV).

Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

Tax exempt bonds are not necessarily a suitable investment for all persons. Information related to a security's tax-exempt status (federal and in-state) is obtained from third parties and Schwab Asset Management does not guarantee its accuracy. Tax-exempt income may be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Capital appreciation from bond funds and discounted bonds may be subject to state or local taxes. Capital gains are not exempt from federal income tax.

International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Risks of investing in REITs are similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and credit worthiness of the issuer. Investing in REITs may pose additional risks such as real estate industry risk, interest rate risk, risks related to the uncertainty of and compliance with certain tax regime rules, and liquidity risk.

Schwab Asset Management is the dba name for Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., the investment adviser for Schwab Funds and Schwab ETFs. Schwab Funds are distributed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab) Member SIPC. Schwab ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO). Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation and not affiliated with SIDCO.

(0622-2X6B)

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Christine Hudacko

Charles Schwab

415-961-3790

Source: The Charles Schwab Corporation

FAQ

What changes were made to Schwab's ETFs and mutual funds in June 2022?

Schwab reduced the operating expense ratios for 10 of its ETFs and mutual funds, improving their cost-effectiveness for investors.

What was the previous expense ratio for the Schwab International Opportunities Fund?

The Schwab International Opportunities Fund's previous expense ratio was 1.25%, which has now been reduced to 0.83%.

When did Schwab implement previous fee reductions?

The previous fee reductions were implemented in December 2021 for five fixed income ETFs.

What is the total amount managed by Schwab Asset Management?

As of March 31, 2022, Schwab Asset Management managed approximately $623.1 billion on a discretionary basis.

What is the purpose of reducing operating expense ratios for Schwab's funds?

The purpose is to enhance cost-effectiveness and provide financial benefits to investors.