GDL vs SCHD
The GDL Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, GDL or SCHD?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | GDL | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.70% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $119M | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 129 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +3.70% | +26.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.82% | +30.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +16.09%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.48% | +9.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -55.0% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,450 | $16,069Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2007 | 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 8, 2026 (14.9 years).
GDL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
GDL vs SCHD Performance
The GDL Fund (GDL) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year GDL returned +3.82% while SCHD returned +30.01%. Year to date, GDL is up 3.70% versus a gain of 26.13% for SCHD.
Over three years, GDL compounded at +8.45% per year against +16.09% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.48% and +9.95% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.43% annualized vs -0.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 6.7% for GDL. 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 -55.0% for GDL 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDL charges 2.70% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $270 vs $6 annually, a gap of $264 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDL currently yields 4.50% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings GDL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GDL, our book for it covers 82.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SCHD and GDL share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 129 days apart, GDL 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in GDL and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 129 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDL | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLBSlb Ltd. | 0.25% | 1.89% | 1.64% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDL 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, GDL or SCHD?
GDL has an expense ratio of 2.70% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $264 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDL or SCHD?
Over the past year GDL returned +3.82% vs +30.01% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), GDL annualized -0.32% vs +11.43% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDL or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 6.7% for GDL. Worst drawdown: GDL -55.0% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both GDL and SCHD?
GDL and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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 GDL and SCHD?
At least 1.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings GDL also owns. Our book for GDL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in GDL and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDL or SCHD?
GDL yields 4.50% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so GDL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than GDL?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.