SCHD vs VSLU
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VSLU?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, VSLU over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%.
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 | VSLU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $562M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 103 | 591 |
| YTD Return | +24.04%Best | +9.90% |
| 1Y Return | +27.95%Best | +13.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.51% | +20.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.80% | +13.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.9%Best | -23.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,959 | $18,490Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 52.2% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Applied Finance Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 29, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.4 years).
SCHD vs VSLU 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs VSLU Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF (VSLU) is an ETF from Applied Finance Funds. Over the past year SCHD returned +27.95% while VSLU returned +13.63%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.04% versus a gain of 9.90% for VSLU.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.51% per year against +20.98% for VSLU; over five years the annualized figures are +9.80% and +13.08% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VSLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.5% 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 -16.9% for SCHD and -23.9% for VSLU. 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 VSLU charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $49 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 0.42% for VSLU.
Holdings Overlap
88.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings VSLU also owns. 9.6% of VSLU's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside VSLU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
44 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 457 in VSLU, against full books of 103 and 591.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 398 positions for VSLU that do not appear in our book for SCHD (89.8% of the fund), and 55 for SCHD that do not appear in VSLU (11.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SCHD | Weight in VSLU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.77% | 1.43% | 3.34% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.70% | 0.67% | 4.03% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 4.69% | 0.21% | 4.48% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.17% | 0.68% | 3.49% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.88% | 0.80% | 3.08% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 3.83% | 0.56% | 3.27% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 4.02% | 0.29% | 3.73% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 3.97% | 0.22% | 3.75% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 3.94% | 0.18% | 3.76% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 3.82% | 0.18% | 3.64% |
88.3% of SCHD is already inside VSLU.
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 VSLU?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VSLU charges 0.49%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VSLU?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.95% vs +13.63% for VSLU, 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 VSLU?
VSLU has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.5% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -16.9% vs VSLU -23.9%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VSLU?
SCHD and VSLU 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 VSLU?
88.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings VSLU also owns. 9.6% of VSLU's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 457 in VSLU.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VSLU?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VSLU yields 0.42%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VSLU better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, VSLU over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.