SCHD vs VDC
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VDC?
SCHD has been ahead.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.0%.
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 | VDC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $9.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 2.08% |
| Holdings | 103 | 106 |
| YTD Return | +21.33%Best | +5.99% |
| 1Y Return | +25.15%Best | +5.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.43%Best | +8.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.32%Best | +6.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -25.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,613Best | $13,515 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 62.0% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VDC 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 VDC Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +25.15% while VDC returned +5.00%. Year to date, SCHD is up 21.33% versus a gain of 5.99% for VDC.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.43% per year against +8.40% for VDC; over five years the annualized figures are +9.32% and +6.21% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.11% annualized vs +8.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 12.2% for VDC. 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 -25.6% for VDC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VDC charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $9 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 2.08% for VDC.
Holdings Overlap
19.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings VDC also owns. 32.2% of VDC's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
12 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 104 in VDC, against full books of 103 and 106.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for VDC that do not appear in our book for SCHD (67.5% of the fund), and 87 for SCHD that do not appear in VDC (80.6%).
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 VDC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.17% | 8.53% | 4.36% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 3.83% | 8.51% | 4.68% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 3.64% | 4.25% | 0.61% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 2.79% | 3.72% | 0.93% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 1.78% | 2.24% | 0.46% |
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 0.96% | 1.37% | 0.41% |
| KMBKimberly-Clark Corp. | 0.87% | 1.14% | 0.27% |
| HSYHershey Co. | 0.64% | 0.97% | 0.33% |
| GISGeneral Mills In | 0.54% | 0.79% | 0.25% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.05% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
32.2% of VDC is already inside SCHD.
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 VDC?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VDC charges 0.09%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VDC?
Over the past year SCHD returned +25.15% vs +5.00% for VDC, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.11% vs +8.08% for VDC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VDC?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 12.2% for VDC. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VDC -25.6%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VDC?
SCHD and VDC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 VDC?
32.2% of VDC's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 32.2% of VDC's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 104 in VDC.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VDC?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VDC yields 2.08%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VDC better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.