EEA vs SCHD
The European Equity Fund, Inc. vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, EEA or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EEA is less concentrated, with 33.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | EEA | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.06% |
| AUM | $90M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 60 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +7.95% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.46% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.09% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.51% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.3% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,707 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.1%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | DWS ETF Trust | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 23, 1986 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
EEA 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.
EEA vs SCHD Performance
The European Equity Fund, Inc. (EEA) is an ETF from DWS ETF Trust and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year EEA returned +14.46% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, EEA is up 7.95% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, EEA compounded at +15.09% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.51% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +6.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 13.6% 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 -45.3% for EEA 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 62 holdings in EEA and 100 in SCHD, totalling 99.4% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in EEA and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 60 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 99 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for EEA (99.9% of the fund), and 5 for EEA that do not appear in SCHD (7.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EEA 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 performed better, EEA or SCHD?
Over the past year EEA returned +14.46% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EEA annualized +6.62% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEA or SCHD?
EEA has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: EEA -45.3% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both EEA and SCHD?
EEA and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEA or SCHD?
EEA yields 3.00% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than EEA?
SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EEA is less concentrated, with 33.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.