EMD vs SCHD
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, EMD or SCHD?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. EMD led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | EMD | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.09% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $632M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.31% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 267 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -0.18% | +24.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.74% | +27.90%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.38%Best | +15.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.03% | +9.97%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,184 | $16,083Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2003 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.9 years).
EMD 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.
EMD vs SCHD Performance
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year EMD returned +5.74% while SCHD returned +27.90%. Year to date, EMD is down 0.18% versus a gain of 24.23% for SCHD.
Over three years, EMD compounded at +16.38% per year against +15.55% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.03% and +9.97% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.30% annualized vs -0.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% 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 -64.5% for EMD 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMD charges 3.09% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $309 vs $6 annually, a gap of $303 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMD currently yields 9.31% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 136 holdings in EMD and 100 in SCHD, totalling 71.2% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, EMD as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 136 positions we hold weights for in EMD and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 267 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMD 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, EMD or SCHD?
EMD has an expense ratio of 3.09% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $303 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMD or SCHD?
Over the past year EMD returned +5.74% vs +27.90% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EMD annualized -0.36% vs +11.30% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMD or SCHD?
EMD has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: EMD -64.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both EMD and SCHD?
EMD and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, EMD or SCHD?
EMD yields 9.31% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so EMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than EMD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. EMD led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.