SCHD follows a dividend-focused U.S. stock index with dividend-history and fundamental screens. VDC tracks U.S. consumer-staples stocks. Neither is a whole-market portfolio, and their index holdings and weights change over time.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
SCHD has outpaced VDC over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.24% total return against 4.65%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SCHD has compounded at 12.52% a year, against 7.51% for VDC. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Oct 2011” measures every fund from October 20, 2011 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by U.S. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios.
Tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index.
Bottom lineChoose SCHD if you want dividend-focused stock selection and accept its sector weights. Choose VDC if you want a consumer-staples allocation and accept concentration in one sector. SCHD selects for dividend characteristics; VDC selects a sector. A higher distribution rate does not establish a better total return or safer portfolio.
Dividend selection versus a consumer-staples sector allocation
SCHD follows a dividend-focused U.S. stock index with dividend-history and fundamental screens. VDC tracks U.S. consumer-staples stocks. Neither is a whole-market portfolio, and their index holdings and weights change over time.
SCHD
VDC
Approach
Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index
U.S. consumer-staples sector index
Risk review
Dividend cuts, equity losses, and sector concentration
Consumer-staples sector, valuation, and large-holding concentration
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Schwab is a major provider of low-cost, broad-based ETFs known for making investing accessible to individual investors through its discount brokerage platform. The issuer's fund lineup spans multiple categories including core index funds, dividend and income-focused strategies, factor-based approaches, international exposure, fixed income, and digital assets, with popular core holdings like SCHB (U.S. broad market) and SCHD (dividend appreciation) alongside more specialized thematic offerings. Schwab's ETF suite is characterized by its breadth across asset classes and investment styles, competitive expense ratios, and integration with its retail brokerage ecosystem.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHD.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VDC.
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SCHD offers the higher yield at 3.28% vs 2.22% for VDC. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SCHD is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.06% compared to 0.09%.
They have different reference exposures: SCHD is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index while VDC is linked to MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SCHD is the larger fund by assets ($110B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, SCHD would generate roughly $82.00 cash per distribution, while VDC would produce $55.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SCHD yield3.28%
VDC yield2.22%
Cash diff on $10K$26.50
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHD would cost approximately $60 in fees vs $90 for VDC (simplified, not compounded). The $30.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SCHD ER0.06%
VDC ER0.09%
Strategy & risk
SCHD follows a dividend-focused U.S. stock index with dividend-history and fundamental screens. VDC tracks U.S. consumer-staples stocks. Neither is a whole-market portfolio, and their index holdings and weights change over time. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection.
SCHD beta0.56
VDC beta0.51
Fund details
SCHD is managed by Schwab (launched 10/20/2011) with $110B in assets. VDC is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $7.73B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Does VDC's defensive sector label guarantee smaller losses?
No. Consumer-staples shares can fall because of valuations, costs, demand, or company-specific problems. SCHD can also own staples companies. Compare combined holdings and sector weights to see what adding either fund changes; historical beta is not a forecast of loss protection.
How should I compare risk and ownership costs?
Use matching dates and definitions for returns, distributions, and fees. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection. Check current bid-ask spreads and premiums or discounts; AUM alone does not determine the price available for your order.
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