SCHF vs VYM
Schwab International Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SCHF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 14.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | SCHF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $67.8B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,493 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +12.05%Best | +11.95% |
| 1Y Return | +20.75%Best | +16.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.87%Best | +19.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.39% | +11.90%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,393 | $17,545Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.2%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Oct 12, 2026 (16.9 years).
SCHF 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 16.9 years both funds cover.
SCHF vs VYM Performance
Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) 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 SCHF returned +20.75% while VYM returned +16.90%. Year to date, SCHF is up 12.05% versus a gain of 11.95% for VYM.
Over three years, SCHF compounded at +20.87% per year against +19.05% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.39% and +11.90% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.27% annualized vs +5.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.1% 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 -38.6% for SCHF 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHF charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHF currently yields 2.98% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of SCHF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings SCHF also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 1,450 positions we hold weights for in SCHF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,493 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SCHF (96.9% of the fund), and 21 for SCHF that do not appear in VYM (7.0%).
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 SCHF and VYM 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, SCHF or VYM?
SCHF has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. SCHF is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHF or VYM?
Over the past year SCHF returned +20.75% vs +16.90% for VYM, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHF annualized +5.78% vs +10.27% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHF or VYM?
SCHF has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SCHF -38.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SCHF and VYM?
SCHF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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, SCHF or VYM?
SCHF yields 2.98% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SCHF?
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. SCHF led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. SCHF is less concentrated, with 14.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.