MLRG vs SCHD
iShares MSCI USA ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, MLRG or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
MLRG has a lower expense ratio. MLRG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | MLRG | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $1.3B | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 530 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +12.71% | +26.92%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.66% | +33.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.20%Best | +17.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.32%Best | +9.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.3% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,877Best | $16,061 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9%Best | 41.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Oct 16, 2026 (15 years).
MLRG 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.
MLRG vs SCHD Performance
iShares MSCI USA ETF (MLRG) 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 MLRG returned +16.66% while SCHD returned +33.81%. Year to date, MLRG is up 12.71% versus a gain of 26.92% for SCHD.
Over three years, MLRG compounded at +22.20% per year against +17.21% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.32% and +9.94% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, MLRG has the edge at +13.48% annualized vs +11.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLRG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% 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 -35.3% for MLRG 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLRG charges 0.03% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLRG currently yields 0.98% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
7.5% of MLRG's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 94.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings MLRG also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside MLRG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
45 positions in common, counted across the 530 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 530 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 52 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for MLRG (5.0% of the fund), and 469 for MLRG that do not appear in SCHD (91.7%).
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 MLRG | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.38% | 4.89% | 4.51% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.29% | 4.61% | 4.32% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.58% | 4.14% | 3.56% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.50% | 4.16% | 3.66% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.50% | 4.12% | 3.62% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.53% | 4.04% | 3.51% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.49% | 3.95% | 3.46% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.42% | 3.77% | 3.35% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.33% | 3.86% | 3.53% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.28% | 3.88% | 3.60% |
94.8% of SCHD is already inside MLRG.
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, MLRG or SCHD?
MLRG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while SCHD charges 0.06%. MLRG is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLRG or SCHD?
Over the past year MLRG returned +16.66% vs +33.81% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), MLRG annualized +13.48% vs +11.40% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLRG or SCHD?
MLRG has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: MLRG -35.3% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both MLRG and SCHD?
MLRG and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 MLRG and SCHD?
94.8% of SCHD's money is in holdings MLRG also owns. 94.8% of SCHD's is in holdings MLRG also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 530 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 98 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLRG or SCHD?
MLRG yields 0.98% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than MLRG?
MLRG has a lower expense ratio. MLRG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHD over 1Y. MLRG is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.