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

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: SCHD vs SDY

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

SCHDSDY

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

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldSCHD2.96% vs 2.31%
Better 1-year total returnSCHD+38.08% vs +22.28%
Better 5-year total returnSCHD+62.57% vs +47.98%
Expense ratio—SCHD 0.06% · SDY n/a

SCHD vs SDY at a glance

This page compares Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) with State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, SCHD has led over the last 12 months at +38.08% versus +22.28% for SDY. SCHD currently yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) against 2.31% for SDY. Across five years the total-return gap is +62.57% for SCHD vs +47.98% for SDY.

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 SDY
MetricSCHDSDY
Last close$35.65$163.52
Dividend yield2.96% (TTM)2.31% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.06%—
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$1.05 (4 payments)$3.78 (4 payments)
IssuerSchwabState Street
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
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
2.31%
+22.28%$163.52$0.9168QuarterlyState Street

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%
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF+9.72%+4.24%+11.88%+22.28%+21.79%+47.98%

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
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF$0.9168Sep 21, 2026-5.29%$3.77654 payoutsDec 15, 2023: $0.9782Mar 15, 2024: $0.7079Jun 21, 2024: $0.8589Sep 20, 2024: $0.7852Dec 20, 2024: $1.0303Mar 24, 2025: $0.8184Jun 23, 2025: $0.9274Sep 22, 2025: $0.8709Dec 22, 2025: $1.0174Mar 23, 2026: $0.8743Jun 22, 2026: $0.968Sep 21, 2026: $0.9168

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 -15.21% for SDY. 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.

SDY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.8743 to $1.02 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.

SCHDSDY
Sep 23, 2026$0.2665Sep 21, 2026$0.9168
Jun 24, 2026$0.2525Jun 22, 2026$0.968
Mar 25, 2026$0.2569Mar 23, 2026$0.8743
Dec 10, 2025$0.2782Dec 22, 2025$1.02
Sep 24, 2025$0.2604Sep 22, 2025$0.8709
Jun 25, 2025$0.2602Jun 23, 2025$0.9274
Mar 26, 2025$0.2488Mar 24, 2025$0.8184
Dec 11, 2024$0.2645Dec 20, 2024$1.03
Sep 25, 2024$0.2515Sep 20, 2024$0.7852
Jun 26, 2024$0.2747Jun 21, 2024$0.8589
Mar 20, 2024$0.2037Mar 15, 2024$0.7079
Dec 6, 2023$0.2474Dec 15, 2023$0.9782

SCHD vs SDY: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or SDY?

As of November 9, 2026, SCHD yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) and SDY yields 2.31% (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 SDY?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SCHD returned +38.08% and SDY returned +22.28%. Over five years, SCHD returned +62.57% and SDY returned +47.98%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in SCHD vs SDY 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 $12,228 in SDY.

How often do SCHD and SDY pay dividends?

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

Is SCHD or SDY 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 SDY beyond the yield

Compare payment history with total return and fees. Check whether a larger current yield comes with different drawdowns or less consistent distributions; a dividend-growth label does not promise future increases.

Review Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) payment history and State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) 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 SDY.

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.