ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Schwab is known for offering low-cost, broad-based ETFs that serve both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies. Their 33-fund lineup spans multiple asset classes including bonds, equities, international markets, digital assets, and factor-based strategies, with a notable emphasis on dividend-focused funds like SCHD alongside core index options. The issuer emphasizes accessibility for individual investors through competitive expense ratios and a diverse range of fund families designed to support various investment objectives.
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 known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VDC.
MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index
Objective
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.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
10/20/2011
01/26/2004
Beta
0.58
0.54
Last dividend
$0.2525
$1.2240
Ex-dividend date
06/24/2026
06/24/2026
Bottom lineChoose SCHD if you want higher current income (3.00% vs 2.12% for VDC). Choose VDC if you want broad equity exposure.
Most used
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
SCHD has outpaced VDC over the trailing twelve months, posting a 31.06% total return against 8.41%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SCHD has compounded at 12.79% a year, against 7.78% for VDC. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Oct 2011” measures every fund from October 20, 2011 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.
Quick verdict
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 3.00% vs 2.12% 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 0.10%.
They track different benchmarks: SCHD is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SCHD is the larger fund by assets ($104B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, SCHD would generate roughly $25.00/month, while VDC would produce $17.67/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
SCHD yield3.00%
VDC yield2.12%
Monthly diff on $10K$7.33
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHD would cost approximately $60 in fees vs $100 for VDC (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
SCHD ER0.06%
VDC ER0.10%
Strategy & risk
SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Beta is 0.58 for SCHD and 0.54 for VDC, indicating VDC is less volatile relative to the market.
SCHD beta0.58
VDC beta0.54
Fund details
SCHD is managed by Schwab (launched 10/20/2011) with $104B in assets. VDC is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $7.95B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution yield for SCHD and VDC?
SCHD currently distributes 3.00% and VDC 2.12%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is SCHD or VDC better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SCHD currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between SCHD and VDC?
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, while VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They are issued by Schwab and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both SCHD and VDC?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, SCHD or VDC?
SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VDC charges 0.10%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SCHD vs VDC generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SCHD would generate roughly $25.00 per month ($300.00 annually). The same in VDC would produce about $17.67 per month ($212.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SCHD or VDC?
SCHD has outpaced VDC over the trailing twelve months, posting a 31.06% total return against 8.41%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SCHD has compounded at 12.79% a year, against 7.78% for VDC. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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