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

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: SCHD vs VYM

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

SCHDVYM

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

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldSCHD2.96% vs 2.26%
Better 1-year total returnSCHD+38.08% vs +18.85%
Better 5-year total returnVYM+70.42% vs +62.57%
Expense ratio—SCHD 0.06% · VYM n/a

SCHD vs VYM at a glance

This page compares Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) with Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) 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 +18.85% for VYM. SCHD currently yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) against 2.26% for VYM. Across five years the total-return gap is +70.42% for VYM 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 VYM
MetricSCHDVYM
Last close$35.65$162.72
Dividend yield2.96% (TTM)2.26% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.06%—
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$1.05 (4 payments)$3.68 (4 payments)
IssuerSchwabVanguard
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
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares
2.26%
+18.85%$162.72$0.8869QuarterlyVanguard

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%
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares+2.50%-1.21%+5.90%+18.85%+29.23%+70.42%

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
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares$0.8869Sep 18, 2026-9.45%$3.67554 payoutsDec 18, 2023: $1.0995Mar 15, 2024: $0.6555Jun 21, 2024: $1.0237Sep 20, 2024: $0.8511Dec 20, 2024: $0.9642Mar 21, 2025: $0.85Jun 20, 2025: $0.8617Sep 19, 2025: $0.8417Dec 19, 2025: $0.9474Mar 20, 2026: $0.8617Jun 18, 2026: $0.9795Sep 18, 2026: $0.8869

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 -15.87% for VYM. 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.

VYM's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.8617 to $0.9795 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.

VYM: Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

Tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, providing exposure to U.S. companies with comparatively high forecast dividend yields.

A higher dividend yield does not protect against a decline in share price. Compare the portfolio's exposure and total return as well as its distributions.

Source: Vanguard VYM fact sheet. 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.

SCHDVYM
Sep 23, 2026$0.2665Sep 18, 2026$0.8869
Jun 24, 2026$0.2525Jun 18, 2026$0.9795
Mar 25, 2026$0.2569Mar 20, 2026$0.8617
Dec 10, 2025$0.2782Dec 19, 2025$0.9474
Sep 24, 2025$0.2604Sep 19, 2025$0.8417
Jun 25, 2025$0.2602Jun 20, 2025$0.8617
Mar 26, 2025$0.2488Mar 21, 2025$0.850
Dec 11, 2024$0.2645Dec 20, 2024$0.9642
Sep 25, 2024$0.2515Sep 20, 2024$0.8511
Jun 26, 2024$0.2747Jun 21, 2024$1.02
Mar 20, 2024$0.2037Mar 15, 2024$0.6555
Dec 6, 2023$0.2474Dec 18, 2023$1.10

SCHD vs VYM: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, SCHD or VYM?

As of November 9, 2026, SCHD yields 2.96% (trailing 12-month) and VYM yields 2.26% (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 VYM?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SCHD returned +38.08% and VYM returned +18.85%. Over five years, SCHD returned +62.57% and VYM returned +70.42%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in SCHD vs VYM 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 $11,885 in VYM.

How often do SCHD and VYM pay dividends?

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

Is SCHD or VYM 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 VYM 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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) 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 VYM.

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.