SCHG vs SDY: ETF Comparison
Compare SCHG (Schwab U.S. Growth 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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SCHG vs SDY: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, SCHG holds a clear edge over SDY: +16.4% per year vs +9.0% per year — a gap of 7.4 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 SCHG has only 16.6 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.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: SDY currently yields 2.6% vs SCHG's 0.4%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
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SCHG vs SDY Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHG | Schwab U.S. Growth ETF | Schwab | 12/11/2009 | 16.6y | +1154.0% | +16.4% | 0.4% | 0.04% | A |
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.7y | +497.0% | +9.0% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
SCHG vs SDY — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SCHG or SDY?
By average annual total return since inception, SCHG holds a clear edge over SDY (+16.4% 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 SCHG and SDY?
SCHG (Schwab U.S. Growth ETF) is offered by Schwab and currently yields 0.4%. SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and yields 2.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +16.4% and +9.0% respectively.
Does SCHG pay a higher dividend than SDY?
SCHG currently yields 0.4% and SDY yields 2.6%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.