SCHD vs VHT
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard Health Care ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VHT?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VHT over the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%.
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 | VHT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $20.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 103 | 427 |
| YTD Return | +23.46%Best | +10.17% |
| 1Y Return | +27.20%Best | +25.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.41%Best | +11.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.16%Best | +5.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -29.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,223Best | $13,307 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 52.0% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VHT 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 VHT Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.20% while VHT returned +25.23%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.46% versus a gain of 10.17% for VHT.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.41% per year against +11.11% for VHT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.16% and +5.88% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VHT has the edge at +12.62% annualized vs +11.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VHT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 13.7% 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 -29.0% for VHT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VHT 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 1.48% for VHT.
Holdings Overlap
21.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings VHT also owns. 17.8% of VHT's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
SCHD and VHT share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 405 in VHT, against full books of 103 and 427.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 324 positions for VHT that do not appear in our book for SCHD (81.1% of the fund), and 94 for SCHD that do not appear in VHT (78.6%).
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.
21.3% of SCHD is already inside VHT.
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 VHT?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VHT charges 0.09%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VHT?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.20% vs +25.23% for VHT, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.25% vs +12.62% for VHT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VHT?
VHT has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VHT -29.0%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VHT?
SCHD and VHT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 VHT?
21.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings VHT also owns. 17.8% of VHT's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 405 in VHT.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VHT?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VHT yields 1.48%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VHT better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VHT over the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.