PHK vs SCHD
PIMCO High Income Fund vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, PHK or SCHD?
SCHD has been ahead.
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 | PHK | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.92% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $825M | $111.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.40% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 468 | 206 |
| YTD Return | -9.64% | +24.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | -8.40% | +29.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.72% | +16.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.50% | +9.54%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.0% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,314 | $15,771Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2003 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15 years).
PHK 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.
PHK vs SCHD Performance
PIMCO High Income Fund (PHK) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year PHK returned -8.40% while SCHD returned +29.85%. Year to date, PHK is down 9.64% versus a gain of 24.55% for SCHD.
Over three years, PHK compounded at +10.72% per year against +16.64% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +2.50% and +9.54% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.26% annualized vs -3.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PHK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% 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 -72.0% for PHK 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHK charges 2.92% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $292 vs $6 annually, a gap of $286 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHK currently yields 13.40% against 3.24% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 22 holdings in PHK and 98 in SCHD, totalling 8.4% and 99.8% 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 368 days apart, PHK as of Sep 30, 2025 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in PHK and 98 in SCHD, against full books of 468 and 206.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHK 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, PHK or SCHD?
PHK has an expense ratio of 2.92% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $286 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PHK or SCHD?
Over the past year PHK returned -8.40% vs +29.85% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), PHK annualized -3.09% vs +11.26% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PHK or SCHD?
PHK has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: PHK -72.0% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both PHK and SCHD?
PHK and SCHD 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, PHK or SCHD?
PHK yields 13.40% while SCHD yields 3.24%, so PHK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than PHK?
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.