SCHD vs VOT
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VOT?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Growth.
VOT has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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 | VOT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $112.1B | $19.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.60% |
| Holdings | 103 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | +4.00% |
| 1Y Return | +27.90%Best | +1.02% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55%Best | +14.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.97%Best | +4.15% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,083Best | $12,255 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 20.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Aug 17, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VOT 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 VOT Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% while VOT returned +1.02%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.23% versus a gain of 4.00% for VOT.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.55% per year against +14.15% for VOT; over five years the annualized figures are +9.97% and +4.15% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +11.56% annualized vs +11.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% 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 -37.2% for VOT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VOT charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.60% for VOT.
Holdings Overlap
3.6% of SCHD's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 2.9% of VOT's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
SCHD and VOT share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 123 in VOT, against full books of 103 and 129.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 115 positions for VOT that do not appear in our book for SCHD (95.1% of the fund), and 95 for SCHD that do not appear in VOT (96.3%).
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 VOT 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 VOT?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VOT charges 0.05%. VOT is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VOT?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.90% vs +1.02% for VOT, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.30% vs +11.56% for VOT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VOT?
VOT has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 13.6% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VOT -37.2%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VOT?
SCHD and VOT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 VOT?
3.6% of SCHD's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 2.9% of VOT's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 123 in VOT.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VOT?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VOT yields 0.60%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOT better than SCHD?
VOT has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VOT is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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.