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
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 September 25, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, SCHD returned +27.35% with dividends reinvested, compared with +26.02% for QQQ. SCHD currently yields 3.18% (trailing 12-month) against 0.42% for QQQ. Across five years the total-return gap is +105.44% for QQQ vs +57.83% 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.
| Metric | SCHD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $33.21 | $744.50 |
| Dividend yield | 3.18% (TTM) | 0.42% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.20% |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $1.06 (4 payments) | $3.09 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Schwab | Invesco |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2011 | Mar 11, 1999 |
Performance: SCHD vs QQQ
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| SCHD | QQQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 2026 | $0.267 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.751 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | $0.253 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.813 |
| Mar 25, 2026 | $0.257 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.733 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | $0.278 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.794 |
| Sep 24, 2025 | $0.260 | Sep 22, 2025 | $0.694 |
| Jun 25, 2025 | $0.260 | Jun 23, 2025 | $0.591 |
| Mar 26, 2025 | $0.249 | Mar 24, 2025 | $0.716 |
| Dec 11, 2024 | $0.265 | Dec 23, 2024 | $0.835 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | $0.250 | Sep 23, 2024 | $0.677 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | $0.270 | Jun 24, 2024 | $0.762 |
| Mar 20, 2024 | $0.200 | Mar 18, 2024 | $0.573 |
| Dec 6, 2023 | $0.250 | Dec 27, 2023 | $0.216 |
SCHD vs QQQ: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or QQQ?
As of September 25, 2026, SCHD yields 3.18% (trailing 12-month) and QQQ yields 0.42% (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 +27.35% and QQQ returned +26.02%. Over five years, SCHD returned +57.83% and QQQ returned +105.44%. 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 September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $12,735 in SCHD and $12,602 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.
Related comparisons
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Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.