GLU vs SCHD
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, GLU or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. GLU 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 | GLU | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $144M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.40% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 272 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -3.20% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.96% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.17%Best | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.18% | +10.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,873 | $16,289Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2004 | 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 21, 2026 (14.9 years).
GLU 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.
GLU vs SCHD Performance
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU) 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 GLU returned +5.96% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, GLU is down 3.20% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Over three years, GLU compounded at +17.17% per year against +16.25% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +5.18% and +10.25% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.25% annualized vs +2.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 13.7% 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 -56.5% for GLU 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLU charges 1.40% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $6 annually, a gap of $134 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLU currently yields 6.40% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings GLU also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GLU, our book for it lists positions totalling 116.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
SCHD and GLU share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, GLU 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 272 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLU 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, GLU or SCHD?
GLU has an expense ratio of 1.40% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $134 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLU or SCHD?
Over the past year GLU returned +5.96% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), GLU annualized +2.16% vs +11.25% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLU or SCHD?
GLU has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: GLU -56.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both GLU and SCHD?
GLU and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 GLU and SCHD?
At least 15.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings GLU also owns. Our book for GLU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLU or SCHD?
GLU yields 6.40% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so GLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than GLU?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. GLU 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.