SCHV vs XLF
Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, SCHV or XLF?
Each has led over a different period.
SCHV has a lower expense ratio. SCHV led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y. SCHV is less concentrated, with 20.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%.
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 | SCHV | XLF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.08% |
| AUM | $15.4B | $51.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.88% | 1.40% |
| Holdings | 560 | 160 |
| YTD Return | +15.04%Best | +0.47% |
| 1Y Return | +19.24%Best | +4.02% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.07% | +19.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.35%Best | +8.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 19.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.1%Best | -43.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,363Best | $15,260 |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.0%Best | 57.3% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2009 | Dec 16, 1998 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 11, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.8 years).
SCHV vs XLF 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
SCHV vs XLF Performance
Schwab US Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SCHV returned +19.24% while XLF returned +4.02%. Year to date, SCHV is up 15.04% versus a gain of 0.47% for XLF.
Over three years, SCHV compounded at +19.07% per year against +19.43% for XLF; over five years the annualized figures are +10.35% and +8.82% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SCHV has the edge at +9.44% annualized vs +8.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 14.1% for SCHV. 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 -37.1% for SCHV and -43.3% for XLF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCHV charges 0.04% per year while XLF charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $8 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SCHV currently yields 1.88% against 1.40% for XLF.
Holdings Overlap
19.5% of SCHV's money is in holdings XLF also owns. 77.5% of XLF's money is in holdings SCHV also owns.
Most of XLF is already inside SCHV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
64 positions in common, counted across the 567 positions we hold weights for in SCHV and 77 in XLF, against full books of 560 and 160.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 12 positions for XLF that do not appear in our book for SCHV (21.9% of the fund), and 492 for SCHV that do not appear in XLF (79.6%).
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 SCHV | Weight in XLF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.99% | 11.82% | 8.83% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 3.17% | 11.59% | 8.42% |
| BACBank Of America Corp | 1.18% | 5.07% | 3.89% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.89% | 3.76% | 2.87% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.82% | 3.42% | 2.60% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.77% | 3.18% | 2.41% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.73% | 2.93% | 2.20% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 0.53% | 2.17% | 1.64% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 0.54% | 2.14% | 1.60% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 0.40% | 1.61% | 1.21% |
77.5% of XLF is already inside SCHV.
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, SCHV or XLF?
SCHV has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLF charges 0.08%. SCHV is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SCHV or XLF?
Over the past year SCHV returned +19.24% vs +4.02% for XLF, so SCHV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SCHV annualized +9.44% vs +8.87% for XLF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCHV or XLF?
XLF has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 14.1% for SCHV. Worst drawdown: SCHV -37.1% vs XLF -43.3%.
Should I hold both SCHV and XLF?
SCHV and XLF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SCHV and XLF?
77.5% of XLF's money is in holdings SCHV also owns. 77.5% of XLF's is in holdings SCHV also owns. They hold 64 positions in common, counted across the 567 positions we hold weights for in SCHV and 77 in XLF.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHV or XLF?
SCHV yields 1.88% while XLF yields 1.40%, so SCHV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLF better than SCHV?
SCHV has a lower expense ratio. SCHV led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, XLF over 3Y. SCHV is less concentrated, with 20.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.