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ETF Comparison

SCHG vs SMH: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and VanEck Semiconductor ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated July 15, 2026

ETFs34
Total AUM$574B

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 SCHG.

ETFs83
Total AUM$156B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SMH.

Side-by-side snapshot

SCHGSMH
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFVanEck Semiconductor ETF
IssuerSchwabVanEck
Last Close$34.58 as of July 15, 2026$600.31 as of July 15, 2026
Distribution yield0.39%0.18%
Distribution Safety Score 10093
Expense ratio0.04%0.35%
AUM$58.4B$65.1B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyAnnual
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index
ObjectiveCapital AppreciationTrack the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200912/20/2011
Beta1.211.98
Last dividend$0.0340$1.1050
Ex-dividend date06/24/202612/22/2025

Bottom lineChoose SCHG if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose SMH if you want broad equity exposure.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Quick verdict

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SCHG offers the higher yield at 0.39% vs 0.18% for SMH. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SCHG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.35%.

They track different benchmarks: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SMH is the larger fund by assets ($65.1B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $3.25/month, while SMH would produce $1.50/month, at current distribution rates.

SCHG yield0.39%
SMH yield0.18%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.75

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHG would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $350 for SMH (simplified, not compounded). The $310.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SCHG ER0.04%
SMH ER0.35%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index with a capital appreciation approach, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach. Beta is 1.21 for SCHG and 1.98 for SMH, indicating SCHG is less volatile relative to the market.

SCHG beta1.21
SMH beta1.98

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $58.4B in assets. SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $65.1B in assets.

SCHG AUM$58.4B
SMH AUM$65.1B

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Frequently asked questions

Is SCHG or SMH better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SCHG 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 SCHG and SMH?

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index with a capital appreciation approach, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach. They are issued by Schwab and VanEck respectively.

Can I hold both SCHG and SMH?

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, SCHG or SMH?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while SMH charges 0.35%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in SCHG vs SMH generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $3.25 per month ($39.00 annually). The same in SMH would produce about $1.50 per month ($18.00 annually).

More comparisons to explore

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