SCHD vs WDGF
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, SCHD or WDGF?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.8%.
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 | WDGF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $112.2B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 0.05% |
| Holdings | 103 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +28.59%Best | +0.19% |
| 1Y Return | +31.77%Best | +2.40% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.70% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.09% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 21.6% |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.5%Best | 46.8% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
SCHD vs WDGF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SCHD vs WDGF Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF (WDGF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year SCHD returned +31.77% while WDGF returned +2.40%. Year to date, SCHD is up 28.59% versus a gain of 0.19% for WDGF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% compared with 12.6% for SCHD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while WDGF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $45 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.13% against 0.05% for WDGF.
Holdings Overlap
3.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings WDGF also owns. 5.5% of WDGF's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
WDGF and SCHD share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 114 in WDGF, against full books of 103 and 129.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 50 positions for WDGF that do not appear in our book for SCHD (49.2% of the fund), and 97 for SCHD that do not appear in WDGF (96.7%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and WDGF 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 WDGF?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while WDGF charges 0.45%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or WDGF?
Over the past year SCHD returned +31.77% vs +2.40% for WDGF, 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 WDGF?
WDGF has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 12.6% for SCHD.
Should I hold both SCHD and WDGF?
SCHD and WDGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 WDGF?
5.5% of WDGF's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 5.5% of WDGF's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 114 in WDGF.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or WDGF?
SCHD yields 3.13% while WDGF yields 0.05%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDGF better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y. SCHD is less concentrated, with 41.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.