IGOV vs SCHD
iShares International Treasury Bond ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, IGOV or SCHD?
Long Term Mid Quality 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 | IGOV | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 979 | 103 |
| YTD Return | -2.43% | +23.68%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.49% | +28.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.45% | +16.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.47% | +10.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.5%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,956 | $16,156Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2009 | 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 22, 2026 (14.9 years).
IGOV 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.
IGOV vs SCHD Performance
iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (IGOV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year IGOV returned -3.49% while SCHD returned +28.36%. Year to date, IGOV is down 2.43% versus a gain of 23.68% for SCHD.
Over three years, IGOV compounded at +3.45% per year against +16.20% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are -4.47% and +10.07% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.26% annualized vs -1.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 8.5% for IGOV. 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 -35.9% for IGOV 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 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGOV charges 0.35% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $6 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGOV currently yields 1.42% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 34 holdings in IGOV and 100 in SCHD, totalling 3.2% 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 34 positions we hold weights for in IGOV and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 979 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGOV 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, IGOV or SCHD?
IGOV has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGOV or SCHD?
Over the past year IGOV returned -3.49% vs +28.36% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IGOV annualized -1.02% vs +11.26% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGOV or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 8.5% for IGOV. Worst drawdown: IGOV -35.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both IGOV and SCHD?
IGOV and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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, IGOV or SCHD?
IGOV yields 1.42% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than IGOV?
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.