ISTB vs SCHD
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, ISTB or SCHD?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
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 | ISTB | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $5.1B | $112.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.26% | 3.13% |
| Holdings | 7,038 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +0.81% | +26.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.95% | +30.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.15% | +16.09%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.97% | +9.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.2%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -50.1% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,025 | $16,069Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2012 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2012 to Sep 8, 2026 (13.9 years).
ISTB 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.
ISTB vs SCHD Performance
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) 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 ISTB returned +1.95% while SCHD returned +30.01%. Year to date, ISTB is up 0.81% versus a gain of 26.13% for SCHD.
Over three years, ISTB compounded at +5.15% per year against +16.09% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +1.97% and +9.95% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.16% annualized vs +0.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 2.2% for ISTB. 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 -50.1% for ISTB 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISTB charges 0.06% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, ISTB currently yields 4.26% against 3.13% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2,218 holdings in ISTB and 100 in SCHD, totalling 52.2% 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 2,218 positions we hold weights for in ISTB and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 7,038 and 103.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISTB 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, ISTB or SCHD?
ISTB 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, ISTB or SCHD?
Over the past year ISTB returned +1.95% vs +30.01% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), ISTB annualized +0.95% vs +11.16% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISTB or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 2.2% for ISTB. Worst drawdown: ISTB -50.1% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both ISTB and SCHD?
ISTB and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, ISTB or SCHD?
ISTB yields 4.26% while SCHD yields 3.13%, so ISTB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than ISTB?
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.