SCHD vs SDY: ETF Comparison
Compare SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
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SCHD vs SDY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SCHD holds a clear edge over SDY: +13.4% per year vs +9.0% per year — a gap of 4.4 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Keep the track records in mind: SDY has been trading for 20.7 years, while SCHD has only 14.8 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
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SCHD vs SDY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHD | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Schwab | 10/20/2011 | 14.8y | +542.0% | +13.4% | 3.4% | 0.06% | A |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.7y | +497.0% | +9.0% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
SCHD vs SDY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SCHD or SDY?
By average annual total return since inception, SCHD holds a clear edge over SDY (+13.4% vs +9.0% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SCHD and SDY?
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is offered by Schwab and currently yields 3.4%. SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 2.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +13.4% and +9.0% respectively.
Does SCHD pay a higher dividend than SDY?
SCHD currently yields 3.4% and SDY yields 2.6%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.