SCHD vs WIA
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund
Which is better, SCHD or WIA?
Large Cap Value against Inflation Protection.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | WIA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $112.1B | $205M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 7.08% |
| Holdings | 103 | 161 |
| YTD Return | +25.07%Best | -0.10% |
| 1Y Return | +27.61%Best | -0.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.74%Best | +6.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.89%Best | -1.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6% | 9.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4% | -32.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,025Best | $9,362 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Inflation Protection |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Sep 30, 2003 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.9 years).
SCHD vs WIA 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 WIA Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +27.61% while WIA returned -0.01%. Year to date, SCHD is up 25.07% versus a loss of 0.10% for WIA.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +15.74% per year against +6.94% for WIA; over five years the annualized figures are +9.89% and -1.31% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.36% annualized vs +0.32%.
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 9.8% for WIA. 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 -32.5% for WIA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while WIA charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $83 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 7.08% for WIA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in SCHD and 89 in WIA, totalling 100.0% and 121.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, SCHD as of Aug 31, 2026 and WIA as of Feb 27, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 89 in WIA, against full books of 103 and 161.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and WIA 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 WIA?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while WIA charges 0.83%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or WIA?
Over the past year SCHD returned +27.61% vs -0.01% for WIA, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.36% vs +0.32% for WIA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or WIA?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 9.8% for WIA. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs WIA -32.5%.
Should I hold both SCHD and WIA?
SCHD and WIA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 WIA?
SCHD yields 3.00% while WIA yields 7.08%, so WIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WIA better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.