SCHD vs SPE
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Special Opportunities Fund Inc
Which is better, SCHD or SPE?
Large Cap Value against Allocation/Balanced.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | SCHD | SPE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 4.89% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $171M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 8.33% |
| Holdings | 103 | 158 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | -5.54% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | -8.39% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55%Best | +14.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97%Best | +6.20% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 16.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -58.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083Best | $13,509 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Special Opportunities Fund |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jun 8, 1993 |
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 17, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs SPE 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 SPE Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Special Opportunities Fund Inc (SPE) is an ETF from Special Opportunities Fund. Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% while SPE returned -8.39%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.23% versus a loss of 5.54% for SPE.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.55% per year against +14.67% for SPE; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and +6.20% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.30% annualized vs +2.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 13.6% 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 -58.5% for SPE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SPE charges 4.89%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $489 annually, a gap of $483 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 8.33% for SPE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 104 in SPE, totalling 100.0% and 132.7% 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 243 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026 and SPE as of Dec 31, 2025, 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 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 104 in SPE, against full books of 103 and 158.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and SPE 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 SPE?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SPE charges 4.89%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $483 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SPE?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% vs -8.39% for SPE, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.30% vs +2.78% for SPE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SPE?
SPE has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs SPE -58.5%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SPE?
SCHD and SPE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SPE?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SPE yields 8.33%, so SPE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPE better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.