DES vs SCHD
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DES or SCHD?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DES | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 530 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +17.05% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.39% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.50% | +15.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.05% | +10.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,727 | $16,223Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.7%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (14.9 years).
DES vs SCHD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 14.9 years both funds cover.
DES vs SCHD Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Dividend Fund (DES) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DES returned +15.39% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, DES is up 17.05% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, DES compounded at +13.50% per year against +15.41% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +8.05% and +10.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.25% annualized vs +8.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 13.7% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -48.1% for DES and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DES charges 0.38% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $6 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DES currently yields 2.29% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
5.3% of DES's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 1.0% of SCHD's money is in holdings DES also owns.
DES and SCHD share little of their money.
24 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in DES and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 530 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 75 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for DES (98.9% of the fund), and 475 for DES that do not appear in SCHD (91.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DES | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHIFederated Investors Inc. | 0.54% | 0.11% | 0.43% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.52% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 0.50% | 0.11% | 0.39% |
| BKEBuckle Inc/the | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |
| CVBFCvb Financial Corp. | 0.42% | 0.09% | 0.33% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 0.44% | 0.05% | 0.39% |
| WENWendy's Co/the | 0.38% | 0.03% | 0.35% |
| BANRBanner Corp_None_0 | 0.19% | 0.06% | 0.13% |
| CHCOCity Holding Co Common Stock Usd2.5 | 0.16% | 0.05% | 0.11% |
| STBAS&T Bancorp Inc | 0.16% | 0.04% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DES and SCHD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DES or SCHD?
DES has an expense ratio of 0.38% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DES or SCHD?
Over the past year DES returned +15.39% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), DES annualized +8.11% vs +11.25% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DES or SCHD?
DES has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DES -48.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both DES and SCHD?
DES and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DES and SCHD?
5.3% of DES's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 1.0% of SCHD's is in holdings DES also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in DES and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DES or SCHD?
DES yields 2.29% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DES?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DES is less concentrated, with 9.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.