SCHD vs SMDV
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SMDV?
Large Cap Value against Small Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | SCHD | SMDV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $709M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 2.32% |
| Holdings | 103 | 101 |
| YTD Return | +21.99%Best | +10.38% |
| 1Y Return | +25.92%Best | +9.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.66%Best | +10.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.48%Best | +5.90% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,728Best | $13,319 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 12.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Feb 3, 2015 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2015 to Sep 23, 2026 (11.6 years).
SCHD vs SMDV 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 11.6 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs SMDV Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% while SMDV returned +9.20%. Year to date, SCHD is up 21.99% versus a gain of 10.38% for SMDV.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.66% per year against +10.58% for SMDV; over five years the annualized figures are +9.48% and +5.90% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +9.98% annualized vs +7.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.8% 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 -34.1% for SMDV. 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
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SMDV charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $40 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 2.32% for SMDV.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings SMDV also owns. 8.0% of SMDV's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
SMDV and SCHD share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 97 in SMDV, against full books of 103 and 101.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 100 and 97 positions we hold weights for.
SCHD holds 91 positions SMDV does not, 99.7% of the fund.
Largest: MRK 4.77%, AMGN 4.70%, ABT 4.69%, KO 4.17%, CVX 4.02%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHD | Weight in SMDV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGMFederal Agricultural Mortgage Corp | 0.05% | 1.18% | 1.13% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 0.05% | 1.04% | 0.99% |
| LANCLancaster Colony Corp | 0.06% | 1.00% | 0.94% |
| ORRFOrrstown Financial Services Inc | 0.02% | 1.04% | 1.02% |
| IBCPIndependent Bank Corp/mi Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.02% | 1.01% | 0.99% |
| PFBCPreferred Bank La | 0.03% | 0.99% | 0.96% |
| LKFNLakeland Financial Corp. | 0.04% | 0.95% | 0.91% |
| AMSFFinancials Amerisafe Inc. | 0.01% | 0.80% | 0.79% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SMDV 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 SMDV?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SMDV charges 0.40%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SMDV?
Over the past year SCHD returned +25.92% vs +9.20% for SMDV, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SCHD annualized +9.98% vs +7.50% for SMDV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SMDV?
SMDV has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.8% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs SMDV -34.1%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SMDV?
SCHD and SMDV 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 SCHD and SMDV?
8.0% of SMDV's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 8.0% of SMDV's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 97 in SMDV.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or SMDV?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SMDV yields 2.32%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMDV better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.