MDYG vs SCHD
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, MDYG or SCHD?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.1% 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 | MDYG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.59% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 247 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +13.67% | +25.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.11% | +27.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.19% | +15.74%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.29% | +9.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,217 | $16,025Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.1%Best | 41.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | 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).
MDYG 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.
MDYG vs SCHD Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF (MDYG) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year MDYG returned +15.11% while SCHD returned +27.61%. Year to date, MDYG is up 13.67% versus a gain of 25.07% for SCHD.
Over three years, MDYG compounded at +15.19% per year against +15.74% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +7.29% and +9.89% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.36% annualized vs +10.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% 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 -39.5% for MDYG 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDYG charges 0.15% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $6 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDYG currently yields 0.59% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
2.0% of MDYG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 1.6% of SCHD's money is in holdings MDYG also owns.
MDYG and SCHD share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in MDYG and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 247 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 89 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for MDYG (98.3% of the fund), and 228 for MDYG that do not appear in SCHD (92.8%).
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 MDYG | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.49% | 0.42% | 0.07% |
| ORIOld Republic International Corp | 0.27% | 0.23% | 0.04% |
| ALVAutoliv, Inc. Com | 0.28% | 0.20% | 0.08% |
| AFGAmerican Financial Group Inc/Oh | 0.21% | 0.24% | 0.03% |
| FHIFederated Investors Inc | 0.25% | 0.11% | 0.14% |
| NXSTNexstar Media Group Inc | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
| MTNVail Resorts Inc. | 0.14% | 0.12% | 0.02% |
| MSMMsc Industrial Direct Co Inc | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.00% |
| LANCLancaster Colony Corp | 0.06% | 0.06% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDYG 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, MDYG or SCHD?
MDYG has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDYG or SCHD?
Over the past year MDYG returned +15.11% vs +27.61% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), MDYG annualized +10.91% vs +11.36% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDYG or SCHD?
MDYG has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: MDYG -39.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both MDYG and SCHD?
MDYG and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 MDYG and SCHD?
2.0% of MDYG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 1.6% of SCHD's is in holdings MDYG also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in MDYG and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDYG or SCHD?
MDYG yields 0.59% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than MDYG?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.1% 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.