SCHD vs THQ
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund
Which is better, SCHD or THQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 | THQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 1.46% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $784M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 10.93% |
| Holdings | 103 | 111 |
| YTD Return | +27.56%Best | +10.71% |
| 1Y Return | +30.29%Best | +29.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.37%Best | +14.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.23%Best | +4.70% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -45.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,274Best | $12,582 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Aberdeen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jul 28, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 29, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.1 years).
SCHD vs THQ 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 12.1 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs THQ Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) is an ETF from Aberdeen. Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% while THQ returned +29.98%. Year to date, SCHD is up 27.56% versus a gain of 10.71% for THQ.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.37% per year against +14.00% for THQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.23% and +4.70% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.34% annualized vs +4.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
THQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 14.6% 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 -45.8% for THQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while THQ charges 1.46%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $146 annually, a gap of $140 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 10.93% for THQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 21.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings THQ also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for THQ, our book for it lists positions totalling 125.9% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
SCHD and THQ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 219 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 7, 2026 and THQ as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 98 in THQ, against full books of 103 and 111.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHD | Weight in THQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 4.70% | 6.29% | 1.59% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.26% | 6.11% | 1.85% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.31% | 3.39% | 0.08% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 4.11% | 2.06% | 2.05% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.62% | 0.66% | 3.96% |
| GVMXXState Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund | 0.05% | 2.11% | 2.06% |
21.1% of SCHD is already inside THQ.
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 THQ?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while THQ charges 1.46%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $140 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or THQ?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.29% vs +29.98% for THQ, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SCHD annualized +10.34% vs +4.01% for THQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or THQ?
THQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 14.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs THQ -45.8%.
Should I hold both SCHD and THQ?
SCHD and THQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 THQ?
At least 21.1% of SCHD's money is in holdings THQ also owns. Our book for THQ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 98 in THQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or THQ?
SCHD yields 3.13% while THQ yields 10.93%, so THQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is THQ 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.