SCHC vs VYM
Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SCHC or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SCHC led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and 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 | SCHC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.48% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 2,271 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.69% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.24%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.25%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.45% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,669 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 14, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16.6 years).
SCHC vs VYM 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 16.6 years both funds cover.
SCHC vs VYM Performance
Schwab International Small-Cap Equity ETF (SCHC) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHC returned +21.24% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, SCHC is up 12.69% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, SCHC compounded at +19.25% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.45% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.06% annualized vs +5.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 13.1% for VYM. 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 -47.1% for SCHC and -35.7% for VYM. 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
SCHC charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHC currently yields 3.48% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,528 holdings in SCHC and 603 in VYM, totalling 84.3% and 99.5% 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 91 days apart, SCHC as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 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 1,528 positions we hold weights for in SCHC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 2,271 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHC and VYM 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, SCHC or VYM?
SCHC has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHC or VYM?
Over the past year SCHC returned +21.24% vs +20.84% for VYM, so SCHC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHC annualized +5.30% vs +10.06% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHC or VYM?
SCHC has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SCHC -47.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SCHC and VYM?
SCHC and VYM 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHC or VYM?
SCHC yields 3.48% while VYM yields 2.24%, so SCHC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SCHC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SCHC led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.