SCHD vs VGHY
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VGHY?
Large Cap Value against High Yield Bond.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y.
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 | VGHY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.22% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $307M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 5.01% |
| Holdings | 103 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | -2.32% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | -0.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6% | 2.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Aug 27, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
SCHD vs VGHY 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SCHD vs VGHY Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% while VGHY returned -0.59%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.23% versus a loss of 2.32% for VGHY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 2.7% for VGHY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VGHY charges 0.22%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $22 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 5.01% for VGHY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 380 in VGHY, totalling 100.0% and 64.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 380 in VGHY, against full books of 103 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and VGHY 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 VGHY?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VGHY charges 0.22%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VGHY?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% vs -0.59% for VGHY, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VGHY?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 2.7% for VGHY.
Should I hold both SCHD and VGHY?
SCHD and VGHY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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 VGHY?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VGHY yields 5.01%, so VGHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGHY better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.