SCHD vs VWO
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, SCHD or VWO?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SCHD led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 3Y.
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 | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $111.6B | $125.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.24% | 2.05% |
| Holdings | 206 | 6,378 |
| YTD Return | +24.55%Best | +7.56% |
| 1Y Return | +29.85%Best | +12.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.64% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.54%Best | +5.92% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.4%Best | -40.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,771Best | $13,332 |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 20, 2011 | Mar 4, 2005 |
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).
SCHD vs VWO 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.
SCHD vs VWO Performance
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SCHD returned +29.85% while VWO returned +12.56%. Year to date, SCHD is up 24.55% versus a gain of 7.56% for VWO.
Over three years, SCHD compounded at +16.64% per year against +17.73% for VWO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.54% and +5.92% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.26% annualized vs +4.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VWO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -33.4% for SCHD and -40.3% for VWO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHD charges 0.06% per year while VWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, SCHD currently yields 3.24% against 2.05% for VWO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 98 holdings in SCHD and 4,688 in VWO, totalling 99.8% and 89.2% 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 64 days apart, SCHD as of Oct 3, 2026 and VWO as of Jul 31, 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 98 positions we hold weights for in SCHD and 4,688 in VWO, against full books of 206 and 6,378.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCHD and VWO 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 VWO?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VWO charges 0.06%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SCHD or VWO?
Over the past year SCHD returned +29.85% vs +12.56% for VWO, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SCHD annualized +11.26% vs +4.01% for VWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHD or VWO?
VWO has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.7% for SCHD. Worst drawdown: SCHD -33.4% vs VWO -40.3%.
Should I hold both SCHD and VWO?
SCHD and VWO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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, SCHD or VWO?
SCHD yields 3.24% while VWO yields 2.05%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VWO better than SCHD?
SCHD led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.