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Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

SCHD

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF NYSE

$34.13 ▲ 0.41%
VS

VYM

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF NYSE

$163.07 ▲ 0.77%
Last updated: (2m ago) • SCHD at $34.13, VYM at $163.07
CleaRank Financial AIData from TwelveData
Reviewed by CleaRank editorial team. Data refreshed daily. Not financial advice.

Comparative Analysis

SCHD wins this head-to-head comparison against VYM, primarily driven by its superior dividend yield and stronger long-term performance relative to its category. While both ETFs focus on large-cap value stocks, SCHD offers a more attractive income stream and has demonstrated better risk-adjusted returns over extended periods. VYM, though a solid income-focused ETF, lags SCHD in yield and has shown weaker trailing returns in several key timeframes, making SCHD the preferred choice for income-oriented investors seeking robust total return potential. SCHD's higher dividend yield of 3.07% compared to VYM's 2.23% is a significant differentiator for income-focused investors. Furthermore, SCHD's expense ratio of 0.0006 is slightly higher than VYM's 0.0004, but its superior yield and performance metrics justify this marginal cost difference. Both ETFs are managed by reputable fund families and offer broad diversification across large-cap value stocks, but SCHD's current metrics present a more compelling case for total return and income generation.

Key Differentiator

The key differentiator between SCHD and VYM is SCHD's significantly higher dividend yield (3.07% vs 2.23%) coupled with its stronger year-to-date and 1-year trailing returns. While VYM is cheaper in terms of expense ratio, SCHD provides a more attractive income stream and has demonstrated superior recent performance, making it the preferred choice for investors prioritizing current income and capital appreciation.

Joint Outlook

The outlook for SCHD is positive, particularly for income-focused investors, given its strong dividend yield and solid long-term performance history. Its current oversold technicals suggest a potential for near-term price appreciation, which, combined with its high yield, could lead to attractive total returns over the next 6-12 months. However, any significant market downturn or dividend cuts from its underlying holdings could pose a risk. VYM's outlook is more neutral, with its lower yield and less impressive recent performance. While its lower expense ratio is a positive, its performance lags SCHD in several key metrics. If the market shifts towards value stocks with less emphasis on immediate income, VYM might see improved relative performance, but for now, SCHD appears better positioned to meet income and total return objectives over the next 6-12 months.

Price Analysis Comparison

Asset Metrics i

Asset Metrics: SCHD vs VYM
Metric SCHD VYM
52 Week Range $26.32 - $35.31 $137.42 - $167.61
Prev. Close $33.99 $161.83
24h Volume 430.66K 11.89K
Valuation is not directly applicable to ETFs in the same way as individual stocks, as they represent a basket of underlying securities. However, we can infer relative value based on their expense ratios and dividend yields. SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.0006, costing $6 per $10,000 invested annually, while VYM is cheaper at 0.0004, costing $4 per $10,000 invested annually. Despite VYM's lower cost, SCHD's higher dividend yield of 3.07% versus VYM's 2.23% suggests a more attractive income proposition for investors, potentially outweighing the slight expense difference. When considering the total return, SCHD has outperformed VYM in the year-to-date (29.20% vs 15.52%), 1-year (29.45% vs 20.68%), and 3-year (16.18% vs 18.25%) periods. VYM shows stronger 3-year returns, but SCHD's current yield and YTD performance make it a more compelling choice for immediate income and recent growth.

Market Performance i

Market Performance: SCHD vs VYM
Metric SCHD VYM
Volatility (30D) 12.02% 9.29%
24h Range $34.03 - $34.23 $162.62 - $163.41
Market Strength (RSI) 63.5 63.5
Trend (SMA 50) Bullish Bearish
Both assets exhibit similar volatility levels (~11%). SCHD is in a Bullish trend, while VYM remains Bearish relative to its 50-day average.

Technical Indicators

Technical indicators: SCHD vs VYM
Indicator SCHD VYM
RSI (14) 63.50 63.50
50-Day MA $33.81 $163.16
200-Day MA $31.28 $154.69
SCHD is currently exhibiting signs of weakness, with its RSI (63.50), indicating oversold conditions, and its Stochastic at 13.87. The price is trading below its 20-day EMA ($34.48) but above its 50-day ($33.81) and 200-day ($31.28) SMAs, suggesting a potential short-term pullback within a longer-term uptrend. The MACD is slightly positive at 0.11, indicating some underlying positive momentum. VYM is also showing some weakness, with an RSI (63.50) and Stochastic at 36.24, both in neutral territory. The price is trading below its 20-day EMA ($163.86) but above its 50-day ($163.16) and 200-day ($154.69) SMAs. VYM's MACD is negative at -0.18, suggesting a slight bearish momentum. SCHD's oversold technical indicators suggest a potential near-term bounce opportunity, while VYM appears to be in a more consolidated state.

AI Analyst Sentiment

Technical rating — based on current price action versus moving averages and momentum. This measures short-term chart trend, not analyst opinion or company fundamentals.

SCHD

Buy
Technical Score: 75/100

VYM

Hold
Technical Score: 55/100
As both SCHD and VYM are ETFs, they do not have analyst ratings or median price targets in the traditional sense. Sentiment must be inferred from their technical indicators and recent price action. SCHD's RSI of 27.1 suggests a bearish sentiment in the short term, potentially indicating an attractive entry point for value investors. VYM's RSI of 38.24 is more neutral, suggesting less immediate selling pressure but also less upside conviction. The price action for both ETFs shows them trading above their longer-term 200-day moving averages, indicating a generally positive sentiment over the long haul. However, SCHD's current oversold technicals might signal a more immediate buying opportunity for those looking to enter at a discount.

Risk Stratification i

Risk metrics: SCHD vs VYM
Metric SCHD VYM
Sharpe Ratio 0.68 0.82
The primary risk for SCHD lies in its current technical weakness, with an RSI of 27.1 indicating oversold conditions that could persist or lead to further declines if the broader market sentiment sours. Additionally, as an ETF focused on dividend-paying stocks, SCHD is susceptible to dividend cuts by its underlying holdings, which would directly impact its yield and total return. Its higher expense ratio compared to VYM, though marginal, also represents a slight drag on performance over the long term. VYM's main risk stems from its exposure to sectors like Technology and Financial Services, which can be more volatile and sensitive to economic downturns or rising interest rates. Its lower dividend yield means it offers less immediate income compared to SCHD, which could be a disadvantage for income-focused investors. While VYM has a lower expense ratio, its weaker trailing returns in several key periods suggest potential underperformance relative to its category and SCHD.

Comparative ProTips

  • For investors prioritizing current income, SCHD's higher dividend yield makes it the more compelling choice.
  • Consider VYM if a lower expense ratio is a primary concern and you are willing to accept a lower current yield for potentially different sector exposure.
  • SCHD's current oversold technicals (RSI 27.1) may present a favorable entry point for those looking to add to their position or initiate a new one.

Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)

Actionable Trade Plans

Compare entry, exit, and risk management levels for both assets

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
SCHD
Current: $34.13
ENTRY ZONES
$32.42
$34.13
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$31.45
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$34.04
+10%
$35.67
+15%
$37.29
VYM
Current: $163.07
ENTRY ZONES
$154.92
$163.07
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$150.27
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$162.66
+10%
$170.41
+15%
$178.15
ℹ️ Disclaimer
This comparison involves assets with varying risk profiles. The content is for educational purposes only. Identifying the stronger asset is based on relative strength (RS) and technical convergence. Past correlation does not guarantee future lockstep movement. Trading involves risk of loss.

Note: The AI favored SCHD based on income/dividend profile. This is valid for the specified timeframe only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF offers a better dividend yield, SCHD or VYM?+
SCHD offers a superior dividend yield of 3.07% compared to VYM's 2.23%. This makes SCHD a more attractive option for investors prioritizing current income generation.
What are the key risks for SCHD and VYM?+
SCHD's main risk is its current technical weakness and potential for dividend cuts in its holdings, while VYM faces risks from its exposure to more volatile sectors like Technology and Financial Services.
Which ETF is cheaper to own, SCHD or VYM?+
VYM is cheaper to own with an expense ratio of 0.0004, compared to SCHD's 0.0006. This translates to an annual cost of $4 per $10,000 invested for VYM versus $6 for SCHD.
How has SCHD performed compared to VYM over the long term?+
Over the 10-year period, SCHD has shown a higher trailing return (13.17%) than VYM (11.78%), indicating better long-term growth potential.
Which ETF is better for income investors?+
SCHD is generally better for income investors due to its significantly higher dividend yield of 3.07%, which provides a more substantial income stream compared to VYM's 2.23%.
What are the primary sectors represented in SCHD and VYM?+
SCHD's top sectors are Healthcare (21.48%) and Consumer Defensive (19.46%), while VYM's are Financial Services (21.81%) and Technology (17.13%).
How do their YTD returns compare?+
SCHD has significantly outperformed VYM year-to-date, with SCHD returning 29.20% and VYM returning 15.52%.

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Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of SCHD vs VYM is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on September 11, 2026.