SCHD vs VLT
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Invesco High Income Trust II
Which is better, SCHD or VLT?
Large Cap Value against High Yield Bond.
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 | VLT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 1.95% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $3,093.5 |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 10.38% |
| Holdings | 103 | 270 |
| YTD Return | +23.68%Best | -8.76% |
| 1Y Return | +28.36%Best | -7.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.20%Best | +8.79% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.07%Best | +1.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -56.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,156Best | $10,768 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 28, 1989 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VLT 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 VLT Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Invesco High Income Trust II (VLT) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% while VLT returned -7.18%. Year to date, SCHD is up 23.68% versus a loss of 8.76% for VLT.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.20% per year against +8.79% for VLT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.07% and +1.49% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.26% annualized vs +0.37%.
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 13.2% for VLT. 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 -56.1% for VLT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VLT charges 1.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $195 annually, a gap of $189 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 10.38% for VLT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and VLT 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 VLT?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VLT charges 1.95%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $189 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VLT?
Over the past year SCHD returned +28.36% vs -7.18% for VLT, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.26% vs +0.37% for VLT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VLT?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 13.2% for VLT. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VLT -56.1%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VLT?
SCHD and VLT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 VLT?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VLT yields 10.38%, so VLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VLT 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.