MEM vs SCHD
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, MEM or SCHD?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%.
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 | MEM | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $55M | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 72 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +18.10% | +23.46%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.74% | +27.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.58%Best | +15.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $19,799Best | $16,560 |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.8% | 41.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2022 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.2 years).
MEM 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 4.2 years both funds cover.
MEM vs SCHD Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% while SCHD returned +27.20%. Year to date, MEM is up 18.10% versus a gain of 23.46% for SCHD.
Over three years, MEM compounded at +21.58% per year against +15.41% for SCHD. Across the full 4-year window we track, MEM has the edge at +17.66% annualized vs +12.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.7% 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 -19.1% for MEM and -16.1% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEM charges 0.79% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $6 annually, a gap of $73 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEM currently yields 2.89% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 65 holdings in MEM and 100 in SCHD, totalling 100.0% 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 65 positions we hold weights for in MEM and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 72 and 103.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 99 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for MEM (99.9% of the fund), and 6 for MEM that do not appear in SCHD (13.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MEM 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, MEM or SCHD?
MEM has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $73 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEM or SCHD?
Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% vs +27.20% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MEM annualized +17.66% vs +12.76% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEM or SCHD?
MEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: MEM -19.1% vs SCHD -16.1%.
Should I hold both MEM and SCHD?
MEM and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, MEM or SCHD?
MEM yields 2.89% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than MEM?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 3Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.