AGD vs SCHD
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, AGD or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | AGD | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $313M | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.36% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 89 | 206 |
| YTD Return | +4.34% | +24.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.13% | +29.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.49%Best | +16.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +9.54%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.7% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $15,771Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7%Best | 41.6% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15 years).
AGD vs SCHD 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 years both funds cover.
AGD vs SCHD Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% while SCHD returned +29.85%. Year to date, AGD is up 4.34% versus a gain of 24.55% for SCHD.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +21.49% per year against +16.64% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +9.54% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.26% annualized vs +3.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 13.7% 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 -52.7% for AGD and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $6 annually, a gap of $129 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 12.36% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
7.2% of AGD's money is in holdings SCHD also owns. 19.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
SCHD and AGD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, AGD as of Jul 31, 2026 and SCHD as of Oct 3, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 89 and 206.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for SCHD that do not appear in our book for AGD (80.4% of the fund), and 40 for AGD that do not appear in SCHD (49.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AGD and SCHD 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, AGD or SCHD?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $129 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or SCHD?
Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% vs +29.85% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), AGD annualized +3.32% vs +11.26% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or SCHD?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: AGD -52.7% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both AGD and SCHD?
AGD and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 AGD and SCHD?
19.3% of SCHD's money is in holdings AGD also owns. 19.3% of SCHD's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 98 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or SCHD?
AGD yields 12.36% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than AGD?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y, SCHD over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.