SCHD vs VNQI
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VNQI?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 22.3% 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 | VNQI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $3.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 4.62% |
| Holdings | 103 | 743 |
| YTD Return | +28.59%Best | -1.80% |
| 1Y Return | +31.77%Best | +1.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.70%Best | +8.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.09%Best | -1.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -38.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,171Best | $9,188 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.5% | 22.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Nov 1, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 3, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VNQI 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 VNQI Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF (VNQI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +31.77% while VNQI returned +1.82%. Year to date, SCHD is up 28.59% versus a loss of 1.80% for VNQI.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.70% per year against +8.38% for VNQI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.09% and -1.68% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.59% annualized vs +4.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.6% 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 -38.4% for VNQI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VNQI charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $12 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 4.62% for VNQI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 706 in VNQI, totalling 100.0% and 99.5% 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 706 in VNQI, against full books of 103 and 743.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 7 positions for VNQI that do not appear in our book for SCHD (2.3% of the fund), and 99 for SCHD that do not appear in VNQI (99.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and VNQI 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 VNQI?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VNQI charges 0.12%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VNQI?
Over the past year SCHD returned +31.77% vs +1.82% for VNQI, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.59% vs +4.41% for VNQI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VNQI?
VNQI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VNQI -38.4%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VNQI?
SCHD and VNQI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 VNQI?
SCHD yields 3.13% while VNQI yields 4.62%, so VNQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNQI better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 22.3% 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.