EWX vs SCHD
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, EWX or SCHD?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EWX is less concentrated, with 3.7% 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 | EWX | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $704M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 3,452 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +12.49% | +27.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.56% | +30.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.98% | +16.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.52% | +10.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,714 | $16,274Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.7%Best | 41.5% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 12, 2008 | 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).
EWX 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.
EWX vs SCHD Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year EWX returned +15.56% while SCHD returned +30.29%. Year to date, EWX is up 12.49% versus a gain of 27.56% for SCHD.
Over three years, EWX compounded at +12.98% per year against +16.37% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.52% and +10.23% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +4.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% 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 -46.2% for EWX 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWX charges 0.65% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $6 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWX currently yields 2.73% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of EWX's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 8.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings EWX also owns.
SCHD and EWX share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 129 days apart, EWX as of Mar 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Aug 7, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 3,275 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 3,452 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for EWX (91.8% of the fund), and 51 for EWX that do not appear in SCHD (1.6%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWX 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, EWX or SCHD?
EWX has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWX or SCHD?
Over the past year EWX returned +15.56% vs +30.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), EWX annualized +4.88% vs +11.53% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWX or SCHD?
EWX has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: EWX -46.2% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both EWX and SCHD?
EWX and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 EWX and SCHD?
8.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings EWX also owns. 8.1% of SCHD's is in holdings EWX also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 3,275 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWX or SCHD?
EWX yields 2.73% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than EWX?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EWX is less concentrated, with 3.7% 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.