SCHD vs VMAX
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Hartford US Value ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VMAX?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, VMAX over the full window. VMAX is less concentrated, with 20.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | VMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.29% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $50M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 1.80% |
| Holdings | 103 | 142 |
| YTD Return | +25.84%Best | +18.93% |
| 1Y Return | +30.18%Best | +23.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.08% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1%Best | -19.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,704 | $17,199Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 20.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Hartford Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Dec 5, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2023 to Sep 15, 2026 (2.8 years).
SCHD vs VMAX 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs VMAX Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) is an ETF from Hartford Funds. Over the past year SCHD returned +30.18% while VMAX returned +23.34%. Year to date, SCHD is up 25.84% versus a gain of 18.93% for VMAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 12.0% for VMAX. 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 -16.1% for SCHD and -19.1% for VMAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VMAX charges 0.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $29 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 1.80% for VMAX.
Holdings Overlap
42.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings VMAX also owns. 20.7% of VMAX's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 140 in VMAX, against full books of 103 and 142.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 116 positions for VMAX that do not appear in our book for SCHD (78.8% of the fund), and 78 for SCHD that do not appear in VMAX (57.2%).
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 VMAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.77% | 2.13% | 2.64% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 3.94% | 1.78% | 2.16% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 3.97% | 1.58% | 2.39% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.33% | 1.69% | 1.64% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 3.82% | 1.17% | 2.65% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.70% | 0.13% | 4.57% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 1.78% | 1.94% | 0.16% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.88% | 1.44% | 0.44% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.31% | 0.92% | 1.39% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 2.79% | 0.39% | 2.40% |
42.7% of SCHD is already inside VMAX.
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 VMAX?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VMAX charges 0.29%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VMAX?
Over the past year SCHD returned +30.18% vs +23.34% for VMAX, 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 VMAX?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 12.0% for VMAX. Worst drawdown: SCHD -16.1% vs VMAX -19.1%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VMAX?
SCHD and VMAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 VMAX?
42.7% of SCHD's money is in holdings VMAX also owns. 20.7% of VMAX's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 140 in VMAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VMAX?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VMAX yields 1.80%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VMAX better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, VMAX over the full window. VMAX is less concentrated, with 20.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.