JOF vs SCHD
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, JOF or SCHD?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 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 | JOF | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $365M | $108.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.92% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 91 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +20.28% | +22.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +30.47%Best | +26.66% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.11%Best | +16.06% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.86%Best | +9.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.9% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,311Best | $15,663 |
| Fund Family | Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 21, 1990 | 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 Oct 9, 2026 (15 years).
JOF 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 15 years both funds cover.
JOF vs SCHD Performance
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc (JOF) is an ETF from Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year JOF returned +30.47% while SCHD returned +26.66%. Year to date, JOF is up 20.28% versus a gain of 22.08% for SCHD.
Over three years, JOF compounded at +29.11% per year against +16.06% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.86% and +9.39% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.12% annualized vs +5.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JOF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% 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 -57.9% for JOF 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JOF charges 1.47% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $6 annually, a gap of $141 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JOF currently yields 15.92% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 91 holdings in JOF and 99 in SCHD, totalling 94.6% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 103 days apart, JOF as of May 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Sep 11, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 91 positions we hold weights for in JOF and 99 in SCHD, against full books of 91 and 206.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JOF 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, JOF or SCHD?
JOF has an expense ratio of 1.47% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $141 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JOF or SCHD?
Over the past year JOF returned +30.47% vs +26.66% for SCHD, so JOF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), JOF annualized +5.45% vs +11.12% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JOF or SCHD?
JOF has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: JOF -57.9% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both JOF and SCHD?
JOF and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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, JOF or SCHD?
JOF yields 15.92% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so JOF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than JOF?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.