SCHM vs VYM
Schwab US Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SCHM or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. SCHM led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SCHM is less concentrated, with 12.4% 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 | SCHM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $14.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 495 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.72%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +18.99%Best | +15.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.42% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.76% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,531 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.4%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 13, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (15.7 years).
SCHM 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
SCHM vs VYM Performance
Schwab US Mid Cap ETF (SCHM) 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 SCHM returned +18.99% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, SCHM is up 15.72% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, SCHM compounded at +17.42% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.76% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SCHM has the edge at +10.11% annualized vs +9.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 13.0% 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 -42.4% for SCHM 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHM 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, SCHM currently yields 1.24% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
28.7% of SCHM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.2% of VYM's money is in holdings SCHM also owns.
SCHM and VYM share little of their money.
164 positions in common, counted across the 492 positions we hold weights for in SCHM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 495 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 367 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SCHM (90.9% of the fund), and 314 for SCHM that do not appear in VYM (67.4%).
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 SCHM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.46% | 0.13% | 0.33% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 0.46% | 0.09% | 0.37% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 0.39% | 0.09% | 0.30% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.37% | 0.09% | 0.28% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.37% | 0.08% | 0.29% |
| KEYKeycorp | 0.37% | 0.08% | 0.29% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.37% | 0.08% | 0.29% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 0.37% | 0.08% | 0.29% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 0.36% | 0.08% | 0.28% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 0.35% | 0.08% | 0.27% |
28.7% of SCHM 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, SCHM or VYM?
SCHM has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. SCHM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHM or VYM?
Over the past year SCHM returned +18.99% vs +15.42% for VYM, so SCHM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SCHM annualized +10.11% vs +9.85% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHM or VYM?
SCHM has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SCHM -42.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SCHM and VYM?
SCHM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SCHM and VYM?
28.7% of SCHM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.2% of VYM's is in holdings SCHM also owns. They hold 164 positions in common, counted across the 492 positions we hold weights for in SCHM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHM or VYM?
SCHM yields 1.24% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SCHM?
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. SCHM led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SCHM is less concentrated, with 12.4% 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.