IMCG vs SCHD
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, IMCG or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
IMCG led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | IMCG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $4.0B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 265 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +18.31% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.24% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.86%Best | +15.74% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.72% | +9.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,843 | $16,025Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.9 years).
IMCG 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.
IMCG vs SCHD Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) 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 IMCG returned +15.24% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, IMCG is up 18.31% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, IMCG compounded at +17.86% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +6.72% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, IMCG has the edge at +13.30% annualized vs +11.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% 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 -35.1% for IMCG 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCG charges 0.06% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, IMCG currently yields 0.61% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
2.1% of IMCG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 5.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings IMCG also owns.
SCHD and IMCG share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 265 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for IMCG (94.0% of the fund), and 244 for IMCG that do not appear in SCHD (95.4%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IMCG | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.73% | 1.38% | 0.65% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 0.28% | 1.19% | 0.91% |
| ARESAres Management Corp Common Stock | 0.39% | 0.74% | 0.35% |
| HSYHershey Co. | 0.23% | 0.64% | 0.41% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 0.17% | 0.64% | 0.47% |
| DRIDarden Restaurants Inc. | 0.14% | 0.60% | 0.46% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 0.11% | 0.49% | 0.38% |
| WSOWatsco Inc | 0.08% | 0.26% | 0.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IMCG 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, IMCG or SCHD?
IMCG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SCHD charges 0.06%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IMCG or SCHD?
Over the past year IMCG returned +15.24% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IMCG annualized +13.30% vs +11.36% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCG or SCHD?
IMCG has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: IMCG -35.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both IMCG and SCHD?
IMCG and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 IMCG and SCHD?
5.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings IMCG also owns. 5.9% of SCHD's is in holdings IMCG also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCG or SCHD?
IMCG yields 0.61% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than IMCG?
IMCG led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y and 5Y. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.