SCHD vs SUSA
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF
Which is better, SCHD or SUSA?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, SUSA over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SUSA is less concentrated, with 33.1% 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 | SUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $4.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.82% |
| Holdings | 103 | 198 |
| YTD Return | +24.59%Best | +11.34% |
| 1Y Return | +28.14%Best | +17.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.58% | +19.02%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.90% | +10.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -32.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,032 | $16,370Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 33.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jan 24, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs SUSA 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 SUSA Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF (SUSA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +28.14% while SUSA returned +17.70%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.59% versus a gain of 11.34% for SUSA.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.58% per year against +19.02% for SUSA; over five years the annualized figures are +9.90% and +10.36% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SUSA has the edge at +13.03% annualized vs +11.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SUSA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% 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 -32.9% for SUSA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while SUSA charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $25 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.82% for SUSA.
Holdings Overlap
43.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings SUSA also owns. 7.3% of SUSA's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 193 in SUSA, against full books of 103 and 198.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 170 positions for SUSA that do not appear in our book for SCHD (91.0% of the fund), and 82 for SCHD that do not appear in SUSA (56.6%).
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 SUSA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 4.77% | 0.46% | 4.31% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.88% | 1.14% | 2.74% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.70% | 0.30% | 4.40% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.17% | 0.53% | 3.64% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 3.97% | 0.64% | 3.33% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 3.83% | 0.54% | 3.29% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 3.13% | 0.47% | 2.66% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.79% | 0.56% | 2.23% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 2.84% | 0.22% | 2.62% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 2.52% | 0.14% | 2.38% |
43.3% of SCHD is already inside SUSA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SCHD or SUSA?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while SUSA charges 0.25%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or SUSA?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.14% vs +17.70% for SUSA, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.34% vs +13.03% for SUSA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or SUSA?
SUSA has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs SUSA -32.9%.
Should I hold both SCHD and SUSA?
SCHD and SUSA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 SUSA?
43.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings SUSA also owns. 7.3% of SUSA's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 193 in SUSA.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or SUSA?
SCHD yields 3.00% while SUSA yields 0.82%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SUSA better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, SUSA over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SUSA is less concentrated, with 33.1% 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.