SCHD vs WSML
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, SCHD or WSML?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, WSML over the full window. WSML is less concentrated, with 2.3% 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 | WSML |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.30% |
| AUM | $108.9B | $660M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 2.76% |
| Holdings | 206 | 3,540 |
| YTD Return | +20.89%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +23.87%Best | +15.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.42% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.40% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -10.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,923 | $14,692Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 2.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Apr 1, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.5 years).
SCHD vs WSML 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs WSML Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +23.87% while WSML returned +15.89%. Year to date, SCHD is up 20.89% versus a gain of 12.30% for WSML.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WSML has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 12.9% 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 -9.0% for SCHD and -10.7% for WSML. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while WSML charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $30 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.00% against 2.76% for WSML.
Holdings Overlap
5.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings WSML also owns. 1.8% of WSML's money is in holdings SCHD also owns.
SCHD and WSML share little of their money.
50 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 3,564 in WSML, against full books of 206 and 3,540.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,494 positions for WSML that do not appear in our book for SCHD (58.1% of the fund), and 49 for SCHD that do not appear in WSML (94.5%).
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 WSML | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFRegions Financia | 0.64% | 0.02% | 0.62% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.44% | 0.16% | 0.28% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.41% | 0.15% | 0.26% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 0.40% | 0.15% | 0.25% |
| AFGAmerican Financial Group Inc/Oh | 0.24% | 0.09% | 0.15% |
| BAHBooz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 0.23% | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| COLBColumbia Banking System Inc Common Stock | 0.22% | 0.08% | 0.14% |
| ALVAllianz Ag | 0.21% | 0.07% | 0.14% |
| ERIEErie Indemnity-a | 0.16% | 0.06% | 0.10% |
| MMacy'S Inc. | 0.15% | 0.06% | 0.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and WSML 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 WSML?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while WSML charges 0.30%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or WSML?
Over the past year SCHD returned +23.87% vs +15.89% for WSML, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SCHD annualized +18.64% vs +29.24% for WSML. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or WSML?
WSML has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 12.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -9.0% vs WSML -10.7%.
Should I hold both SCHD and WSML?
SCHD and WSML have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 WSML?
5.4% of SCHD's money is in holdings WSML also owns. 1.8% of WSML's is in holdings SCHD also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 3,564 in WSML.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or WSML?
SCHD yields 3.00% while WSML yields 2.76%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WSML better than SCHD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. SCHD led over 1Y, WSML over the full window. WSML is less concentrated, with 2.3% 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.