ETF Versus

HDV vs SCHD

iShares Core High Dividend ETF vs Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-08

HDV

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 2.95%. Launched in 2011, the fund has a 15-year track record.

AUM: $13.4B ER: 0.08% Yield: 2.95% Since: Mar 29, 2011

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an exchange-traded fund that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.06%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.46%. Launched in 2011, the fund has a 15-year track record.

AUM: $84.8B ER: 0.06% Yield: 3.46% Since: Oct 20, 2011

Quick Verdict

SCHD has a slightly lower expense ratio (0.06% vs 0.08%), saving about $40 per $10,000 over 10 years. SCHD has edged ahead over the past year (26.0% vs 24.1%). Income investors may prefer SCHD for its higher yield (3.5% vs 3.0%).

Key Metrics

Metric HDV SCHD
Expense Ratio 0.08% 0.06%
Dividend Yield 3.0% 3.5%
Fund Family N/A N/A
Category US Dividend US Dividend

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

90 102 114 126 138 150 2021-04 2022-07 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
HDV +41.1%
SCHD +24.5%

Performance Comparison

Period HDV SCHD Difference
1 Month -1.07% -1.23% +0.16%
3 Months +9.61% +7.81% +1.80%
6 Months +11.47% +15.45% -3.98%
YTD +10.03% +10.49% -0.46%
1 Year +24.09% +25.99% -1.90%
3 Years +29.86% +25.52% +4.34%
5 Years +40.87% +23.78% +17.09%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period HDV Fees SCHD Fees You Save
$10,000 10 years $159 $120 $40
$10,000 20 years $686 $515 $171
$10,000 30 years $2,212 $1,664 $549
$50,000 10 years $797 $598 $199
$50,000 30 years $11,061 $8,318 $2,743
$100,000 30 years $22,123 $16,637 $5,486

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric HDV SCHD
Annualized Volatility 13.0% 14.6%
Max Drawdown -16.9% -18.9%
Sharpe Ratio 0.25 0.07

Dividend Comparison

Metric HDV SCHD
Annual Dividend (per share) $3.96 $1.06
Dividend Yield 2.94% 3.44%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Quarterly

Top Holdings

3 of top 10 holdings overlap (30% overlap in top holdings)

HDV Top Holdings

NameWeight
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM9.10%
Chevron CorporationCVX6.74%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ6.07%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV5.42%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG4.41%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK4.25%
Philip Morris International Inc.PM4.13%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD4.13%
The Coca-Cola CompanyKO3.86%
The Progressive CorporationPGR3.77%

SCHD Top Holdings

NameWeight
Chevron CorporationCVX4.43%
ConocoPhillipsCOP4.26%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK4.16%
The Coca-Cola CompanyKO4.06%
Verizon Communications Inc.VZ3.99%
Texas Instruments IncorporatedTXN3.98%
PepsiCo, Inc.PEP3.96%
UnitedHealth Group IncorporatedUNH3.93%
Amgen Inc.AMGN3.80%
Abbott LaboratoriesABT3.76%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose SCHD if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose SCHD if...

you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.

Either works if...

you just need broad us dividend exposure. Both are solid options — pick whichever your brokerage offers commission-free.

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