SCHD vs VYM
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $112.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 103 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.07%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +27.61%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.74% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.89% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,025 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.61% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, SCHD is up 25.07% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.74% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.89% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.36% annualized vs +10.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 12.9% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
99.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
Most of SCHD is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
80 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 489 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SCHD (76.4% of the fund), and 19 for SCHD that do not appear in VYM (0.7%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 4.77% | 1.32% | 3.45% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.17% | 1.31% | 2.86% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.70% | 0.75% | 3.95% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 3.82% | 1.56% | 2.26% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 4.69% | 0.65% | 4.04% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.88% | 1.46% | 2.42% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 4.02% | 1.28% | 2.74% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 3.83% | 1.42% | 2.41% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 3.97% | 0.74% | 3.23% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 3.94% | 0.53% | 3.41% |
99.2% of SCHD is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or VYM?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.61% vs +17.57% for VYM, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.36% vs +10.54% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VYM?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VYM?
SCHD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SCHD and VYM?
99.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.1% of VYM's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 80 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VYM?
SCHD yields 3.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SCHD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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.