SCHD vs SIMS
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SIMS?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIMS is less concentrated, with 30.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | SIMS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $8M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 0.56% |
| Holdings | 103 | 55 |
| YTD Return | +27.56%Best | +2.69% |
| 1Y Return | +30.29%Best | +11.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.37%Best | +9.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.23%Best | -0.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 24.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -44.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,274Best | $9,890 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.5% | 30.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Dec 18, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 27, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.7 years).
SCHD vs SIMS 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs SIMS Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% while SIMS returned +11.71%. Year to date, SCHD is up 27.56% versus a gain of 2.69% for SIMS.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.37% per year against +9.46% for SIMS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.23% and -0.22% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.96% annualized vs +5.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 16.1% 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 -44.0% for SIMS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SIMS charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $45 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 0.56% for SIMS.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings SIMS also owns. 1.3% of SIMS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
SIMS and SCHD share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 54 in SIMS, against full books of 103 and 55.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 48 positions for SIMS that do not appear in our book for SCHD (91.1% of the fund), and 98 for SCHD that do not appear in SIMS (99.8%).
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 SCHD | Weight in SIMS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWENClearway Energy, Inc., Class C | 0.10% | 1.26% | 1.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SIMS 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 SIMS?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SIMS charges 0.45%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SIMS?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% vs +11.71% for SIMS, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SCHD annualized +10.96% vs +5.15% for SIMS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SIMS?
SIMS has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.1% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs SIMS -44.0%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SIMS?
SCHD and SIMS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 SCHD and SIMS?
1.3% of SIMS's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 1.3% of SIMS's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 54 in SIMS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or SIMS?
SCHD yields 3.13% while SIMS yields 0.56%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SIMS better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIMS is less concentrated, with 30.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.