SCHD vs QQQ: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFInvesco QQQ Trust ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: SCHD vs QQQ

Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.

SCHDQQQ

Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026

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Higher yieldSCHD2.96% vs 0.46%
Better 1-year total returnSCHD+38.08% vs +11.93%
Better 5-year total returnQQQ+77.04% vs +62.57%
Lower expense ratioSCHD0.06% vs 0.20%

SCHD vs QQQ at a glance

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, SCHD returned +38.08% with dividends reinvested, compared with +11.93% for QQQ. SCHD currently yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) against 0.46% for QQQ. Across five years the total-return gap is +77.04% for QQQ vs +62.57% for SCHD.

SCHD leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.

Key figures for SCHD and QQQ
MetricSCHDQQQ
Last close$35.65$679.35
Dividend yield2.96% (TTM)0.46% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.06%0.20%
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$1.05 (4 payments)$3.09 (4 payments)
IssuerSchwabInvesco
Inception——

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
2.96%
Best+38.08%$35.65$0.2665QuarterlySchwab
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust ETF
0.46%
+11.93%$679.35$0.7514QuarterlyInvesco

Total returns

Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF+7.90%+6.00%+14.55%+38.08%+31.74%+62.57%
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust ETF-9.57%-5.95%-4.28%+11.93%+33.46%+77.04%

Dividends

Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.

ETFLatest payoutvs. priorTrailing 12MRecent payouts
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF$0.2665Sep 23, 2026+5.54%$1.05414 payoutsDec 6, 2023: $0.2474Mar 20, 2024: $0.2037Jun 26, 2024: $0.2747Sep 25, 2024: $0.2515Dec 11, 2024: $0.2645Mar 26, 2025: $0.2488Jun 25, 2025: $0.2602Sep 24, 2025: $0.2604Dec 10, 2025: $0.2782Mar 25, 2026: $0.2569Jun 24, 2026: $0.2525Sep 23, 2026: $0.2665
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust ETF$0.7514Sep 21, 2026-7.63%$3.09184 payoutsDec 27, 2023: $0.2158Mar 18, 2024: $0.5735Jun 24, 2024: $0.7615Sep 23, 2024: $0.6769Dec 23, 2024: $0.8347Mar 24, 2025: $0.7157Jun 23, 2025: $0.5911Sep 22, 2025: $0.694Dec 22, 2025: $0.7941Mar 23, 2026: $0.7328Jun 22, 2026: $0.8135Sep 21, 2026: $0.7514

Downside and distribution variability

Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -16.82% for SCHD and -35.12% for QQQ. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

SCHD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.2525 to $0.2782 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

QQQ's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.7328 to $0.8135 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

How the fund strategies differ

Strategy notes checked against issuer sources on ; market figures above update separately.

SCHD: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

Tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which selects dividend-paying U.S. companies using dividend and fundamental-strength criteria.

An equity dividend strategy still carries stock-market risk. Distributions and share prices can fall; its sector mix can differ from a broad-market index.

Source: Schwab SCHD fund page. Read the current issuer documents for complete objectives, holdings and risks.

Recent distributions

The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.

SCHDQQQ
Sep 23, 2026$0.2665Sep 21, 2026$0.7514
Jun 24, 2026$0.2525Jun 22, 2026$0.8135
Mar 25, 2026$0.2569Mar 23, 2026$0.7328
Dec 10, 2025$0.2782Dec 22, 2025$0.7941
Sep 24, 2025$0.2604Sep 22, 2025$0.694
Jun 25, 2025$0.2602Jun 23, 2025$0.5911
Mar 26, 2025$0.2488Mar 24, 2025$0.7157
Dec 11, 2024$0.2645Dec 23, 2024$0.8347
Sep 25, 2024$0.2515Sep 23, 2024$0.6769
Jun 26, 2024$0.2747Jun 24, 2024$0.7615
Mar 20, 2024$0.2037Mar 18, 2024$0.5735
Dec 6, 2023$0.2474Dec 27, 2023$0.2158

SCHD vs QQQ: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or QQQ?

As of November 9, 2026, SCHD yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) and QQQ yields 0.46% (trailing 12-month), so SCHD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, SCHD or QQQ?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SCHD returned +38.08% and QQQ returned +11.93%. Over five years, SCHD returned +62.57% and QQQ returned +77.04%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in SCHD vs QQQ be worth after one year?

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $13,808 in SCHD and $11,193 in QQQ.

Which is cheaper to own, SCHD or QQQ?

SCHD has the lower expense ratio at 0.06% a year, compared with 0.20% for QQQ. On $10,000 that is roughly $6 vs $20 a year.

How often do SCHD and QQQ pay dividends?

SCHD pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and QQQ pays quarterly (4 payments).

Is SCHD or QQQ the better investment?

It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.

Research SCHD and QQQ beyond the yield

Use the same dates to compare an income strategy with its index alternative. Look at both reinvested total return and price return before using either fund's payout rate in an income scenario.

Review Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) payment history and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.

Related comparisons

More side-by-side comparisons with SCHD and QQQ.

Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.