SCHD vs VFMF
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard US Multifactor ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VFMF?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VFMF is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%.
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 | VFMF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $905M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 1.35% |
| Holdings | 103 | 655 |
| YTD Return | +26.13%Best | +22.39% |
| 1Y Return | +30.01% | +30.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.09% | +22.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.95% | +14.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -41.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,069 | $19,879Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.5% | 8.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Sep 8, 2026 (8.6 years).
SCHD vs VFMF 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs VFMF Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard US Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +30.01% while VFMF returned +30.17%. Year to date, SCHD is up 26.13% versus a gain of 22.39% for VFMF.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.09% per year against +22.22% for VFMF; over five years the annualized figures are +9.95% and +14.73% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VFMF has the edge at +12.58% annualized vs +11.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 16.1% 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 -41.3% for VFMF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VFMF charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $18 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 1.35% for VFMF.
Holdings Overlap
50.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 12.3% of VFMF's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
44 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 636 in VFMF, against full books of 103 and 655.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 571 positions for VFMF that do not appear in our book for SCHD (83.8% of the fund), and 55 for SCHD that do not appear in VFMF (48.9%).
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 VFMF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.62% | 0.67% | 3.95% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 4.26% | 0.72% | 3.54% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group | 4.11% | 0.67% | 3.44% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 3.71% | 0.71% | 3.00% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 3.59% | 0.78% | 2.81% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.31% | 0.87% | 2.44% |
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Com Usd1 | 3.84% | 0.15% | 3.69% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 2.86% | 0.77% | 2.09% |
| ACNAccenture Plc Class A | 2.70% | 0.51% | 2.19% |
| QCOMQualcomm | 2.55% | 0.63% | 1.92% |
50.9% of SCHD is already inside VFMF.
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 VFMF?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VFMF charges 0.18%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VFMF?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.01% vs +30.17% for VFMF, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SCHD annualized +11.05% vs +12.58% for VFMF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VFMF?
VFMF has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 16.1% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VFMF -41.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VFMF?
SCHD and VFMF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SCHD and VFMF?
50.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 12.3% of VFMF's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 636 in VFMF.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VFMF?
SCHD yields 3.13% while VFMF yields 1.35%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFMF better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VFMF is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.