IXJ vs SCHD
iShares Global Healthcare ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, IXJ or SCHD?
SCHD has been ahead.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.2%.
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 | IXJ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $4.3B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 125 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +6.09% | +21.99%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.01% | +25.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +15.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.80% | +9.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.4%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,642 | $15,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.2% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2001 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 23, 2026 (14.9 years).
IXJ 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.
IXJ vs SCHD Performance
iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) 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 IXJ returned +19.01% while SCHD returned +25.92%. Year to date, IXJ is up 6.09% versus a gain of 21.99% for SCHD.
Over three years, IXJ compounded at +8.73% per year against +15.66% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +4.80% and +9.48% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.15% annualized vs +10.00%.
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 12.9% for IXJ. 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 -27.4% for IXJ 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
IXJ charges 0.38% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $6 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXJ currently yields 1.43% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
15.3% of IXJ's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 21.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings IXJ also owns.
SCHD and IXJ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 109 positions we hold weights for in IXJ and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 125 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for IXJ (78.6% of the fund), and 55 for IXJ that do not appear in SCHD (60.5%).
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.
21.3% of SCHD is already inside IXJ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IXJ or SCHD?
IXJ has an expense ratio of 0.38% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXJ or SCHD?
Over the past year IXJ returned +19.01% vs +25.92% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IXJ annualized +10.00% vs +11.15% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXJ or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 12.9% for IXJ. Worst drawdown: IXJ -27.4% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both IXJ and SCHD?
IXJ 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 IXJ and SCHD?
21.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings IXJ also owns. 21.3% of SCHD's is in holdings IXJ also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 109 positions we hold weights for in IXJ and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXJ or SCHD?
IXJ yields 1.43% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than IXJ?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.