SCHD vs STEW
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs SRH Total Return Fund
Which is better, SCHD or STEW?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, STEW over 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 | STEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 2.28% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $2.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 3.20% |
| Holdings | 103 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +27.56%Best | +3.90% |
| 1Y Return | +30.29%Best | +3.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.37%Best | +15.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.23% | +10.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -35.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,274 | $16,363Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Paralel Advisors LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jan 31, 2002 |
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 4, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs STEW 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 STEW Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and SRH Total Return Fund (STEW) is an ETF from Paralel Advisors LLC. Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% while STEW returned +3.69%. Year to date, SCHD is up 27.56% versus a gain of 3.90% for STEW.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.37% per year against +15.49% for STEW; over five years the annualized figures are +10.23% and +10.35% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.53% annualized vs +9.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% 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 -35.3% for STEW. 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 STEW charges 2.28%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $228 annually, a gap of $222 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 3.20% for STEW.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 23 in STEW, totalling 100.0% and 111.3% 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 68 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 7, 2026 and STEW as of May 31, 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 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 23 in STEW, against full books of 103 and 24.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and STEW 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 STEW?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while STEW charges 2.28%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $222 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or STEW?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% vs +3.69% for STEW, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.53% vs +9.52% for STEW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or STEW?
STEW has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs STEW -35.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and STEW?
SCHD and STEW 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, SCHD or STEW?
SCHD yields 3.13% while STEW yields 3.20%, so STEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STEW better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, STEW over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.