SCHD vs THW
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Abrdn World Healthcare Fund
Which is better, SCHD or THW?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 | SCHD | THW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 3.00% |
| AUM | $111.6B | $516M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.24% | 10.72% |
| Holdings | 206 | 123 |
| YTD Return | +24.55%Best | +2.31% |
| 1Y Return | +29.85%Best | +2.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.64%Best | +12.71% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.54%Best | +4.27% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 21.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -55.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,771Best | $12,325 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Aberdeen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Jun 26, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.3 years).
SCHD vs THW 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 11.3 years both funds cover.
SCHD vs THW Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) is an ETF from Aberdeen. Over the past year SCHD returned +29.85% while THW returned +2.65%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.55% versus a gain of 2.31% for THW.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.64% per year against +12.71% for THW; over five years the annualized figures are +9.54% and +4.27% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.73% annualized vs +0.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
THW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 14.9% 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -55.6% for THW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while THW charges 3.00%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $300 annually, a gap of $294 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.24% against 10.72% for THW.
Holdings Overlap
At least 14.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings THW also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for THW, our book for it lists positions totalling 111.9% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
SCHD and THW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 276 days apart, SCHD as of Oct 3, 2026 and THW as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 95 in THW, against full books of 206 and 123.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and THW 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 THW?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while THW charges 3.00%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $294 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHD or THW?
Over the past year SCHD returned +29.85% vs +2.65% for THW, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SCHD annualized +10.73% vs +0.66% for THW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or THW?
THW has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 14.9% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs THW -55.6%.
Should I hold both SCHD and THW?
SCHD and THW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 THW?
At least 14.9% of SCHD's money is in holdings THW also owns. Our book for THW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 95 in THW.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or THW?
SCHD yields 3.24% while THW yields 10.72%, so THW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is THW better than SCHD?
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.