DFUS vs SCHD
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, DFUS or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFUS is less concentrated, with 35.0% 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 | DFUS | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $21.4B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 2,253 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.67% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.47% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.17%Best | +15.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.62%Best | +9.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.6% | -16.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,117Best | $16,025 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.0%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2001 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.2 years).
DFUS 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
DFUS vs SCHD Performance
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year DFUS returned +17.47% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, DFUS is up 12.67% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, DFUS compounded at +21.17% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.62% and +9.89% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.6% 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 -24.6% for DFUS and -16.9% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFUS charges 0.09% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFUS currently yields 0.84% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
7.4% of DFUS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 99.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings DFUS also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside DFUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
96 positions in common, counted across the 2,212 positions we hold weights for in DFUS and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 2,253 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for DFUS (0.2% of the fund), and 930 for DFUS that do not appear in SCHD (90.6%).
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 DFUS | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.45% | 4.77% | 4.32% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.31% | 4.70% | 4.39% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.23% | 4.69% | 4.46% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.48% | 4.17% | 3.69% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.49% | 4.02% | 3.53% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.49% | 3.88% | 3.39% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.53% | 3.82% | 3.29% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.48% | 3.83% | 3.35% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.27% | 3.97% | 3.70% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 0.20% | 3.94% | 3.74% |
99.8% of SCHD is already inside DFUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFUS or SCHD?
DFUS has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFUS or SCHD?
Over the past year DFUS returned +17.47% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFUS or SCHD?
DFUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: DFUS -24.6% vs SCHD -16.9%.
Should I hold both DFUS and SCHD?
DFUS and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 DFUS and SCHD?
99.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings DFUS also owns. 99.8% of SCHD's is in holdings DFUS also owns. They hold 96 positions in common, counted across the 2,212 positions we hold weights for in DFUS and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFUS or SCHD?
DFUS yields 0.84% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than DFUS?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. DFUS is less concentrated, with 35.0% 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.