SCHD vs SGOL
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SGOL?
Large Cap Value against Gold.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | SCHD | SGOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.17% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $7.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 103 | 1 |
| YTD Return | +21.99%Best | -1.24% |
| 1Y Return | +25.92%Best | +13.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.66% | +30.61%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.48% | +19.43%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -42.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,728 | $24,298Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Aberdeen |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Gold |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Sep 9, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 23, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs SGOL 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.
SCHD vs SGOL Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) is an ETF from Aberdeen. Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% while SGOL returned +13.57%. Year to date, SCHD is up 21.99% versus a loss of 1.24% for SGOL.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.66% per year against +30.61% for SGOL; over five years the annualized figures are +9.48% and +19.43% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.15% annualized vs +6.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SGOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -42.5% for SGOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SGOL charges 0.17%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $17 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.00% for SGOL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SGOL 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, SCHD or SGOL?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SGOL charges 0.17%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SGOL?
Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% vs +13.57% for SGOL, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.15% vs +6.43% for SGOL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SGOL?
SGOL has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs SGOL -42.5%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SGOL?
SCHD and SGOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, 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, SCHD or SGOL?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SGOL yields 0.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SGOL better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.